Banisteria : a journal devoted to the natural history of Virginia

BANISTERIA

A JOURNAL DEVOTED TO THE NATURAL HISTORY OF VIRGINIA

Number 43 ISSN 1066-0712 2014

BANISTERIA

A JOURNAL DEVOTED TO THE NATURAL HISTORY OF VIRGINIA
ISSN 1066-0712
Published by the Virginia Natural History Society

The Virginia Natural History Society (VNHS) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the dissemination of scientific
information on all aspects of natural history in the Commonwealth of Virginia, including botany, zoology, ecology,
archeology, anthropology, paleontology, geology, geography, and climatology. Membership in VNHS includes a
subscription to Banisteria. Annual dues are $20.00 (per calendar year); library subscriptions to Banisteria are $40.00.
Subscribers/members outside the United States should add $3.00 for additional postage. Checks should be made
payable to the Virginia Natural History Society. Membership dues and inquires should be directed to the Secretary-
Treasurer (address, page 2); correspondence regarding Banisteria to the Editor. Banisteria 1s a peer-reviewed journal.
The Editor will consider manuscripts on any aspect of natural history in Virginia or neighboring states if the information
concerns a species native to Virginia or the topic is directly related to regional natural history (as defined above). Book
reviews, biographies, and historical accounts of relevance to natural history in Virginia also are suitable for publication
in Banisteria. For additional information regarding the VNHS, including other membership categories, field events,
symposia, representative papers from past issues of Banisteria, and instructions for prospective authors, consult our
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Editorial Staff: Banisteria

Editor

Steven M. Roble
Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation
Division of Natural Heritage
600 E. Main Street, 24" Floor
Richmond, Virginia 23219

Associate Editors

Joseph C. Mitchell, Mitchell Ecological Research Service, LLC
P.O. Box 2520, High Springs, Florida 32655

Alfred G. Wheeler, Jr., Department of Entomology
Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina 29634

Thomas F. Wieboldt, Department of Biology
Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061

Banisteria No. 42 was published on 9 January 2014.

Cover: The Virginia Natural History Society’s logo is based around sketches of a fern (Woodwardia virginica) and shark’s tooth
(Carcharodon ?) drawn by John Banister (1650-1692), Virginia’s first university-trained naturalist.

Back cover: Arisaema triphyllum (Linnaeus) Schott (Jack-in-the-pulpit). Original drawing by John Banister. Figure 45 in folio in
Hans Sloane’s MS 4002 in the British Museum of Natural History. Photograph courtesy of Joseph and Nesta Ewan.

BANISTERIA

A JOURNAL DEVOTED TO THE NATURAL HISTORY OF VIRGINIA

Number 43, 2014

Contributed Papers

Land Snails and Slugs (Gastropoda: Caenogastropoda and Pulmonata) of Two National Parks
Along the Potomac River near Washington, District of Columbia
Brent Wry oceuy amc: Diet hy ey AREARCEs Mace ge ctmtesen etek en ctaneee ei te Se Mecates eat ecates ox neds oid meine ba seabed adiaine phe medyecr es eiedye Edie Mapasiemesdee ted 3

Comparisons of Ectomycorrhizal Fungi and Fine Roots of Pinus virginiana Hosts from Two Soil Sources
at the Grassy Hill Natural Area Preserve, Franklin County, Virginia
Gregory (De Tunes ain, Marianne LITT Kee secretes 55 satsescett = sctoeachte rien abs sigesietsPuienlsch anBojenlschen sanls babe cis ba bacnttanae’ phon « Beestonees Be omloae $e Saealsdhape fines mupvions 21

Dragonflies and Damselflies of Albemarle County, Virginia (Odonata)
PT bath Sole 4 RO WT Va coh RRO ALR Nb aR Sa MN Ps nn isto dP Soy COM, he Wo teils Note I Date Lada ed Wan ott deca Mute ihe ers chee 28

Twelve Ground Beetles New to Virginia or the District of Columbia and an Annotated Checklist
of the Geadephaga (Coleoptera, Adephaga) from the George Washington Memorial Parkway
Brent asleury: anc IPeler WW WISSSen tad ay eet centr plement aencieceh tacts ncene do tbead teas ceuiithen pup berenchaasten taala a nencebeekarboieebienetelte 40

Ichthyofaunal Survey of Tributaries of the Appomattox River System, Virginia, 1986-87
Mitchel: Norte: and Rom S Out Wickes ooh. pds shake tesa rede penta ofeaesiiten ofisvn iced cpr qabtactidlanbotsfesiedst wBeedteatia relat ealedlonefestl sda chpaties 56

Freshwater Turtles in the Blackwater River Drainage in Southeastern Virginia
Mitchell-D, Norman and Josephs€.. Mitchel]... 5022. csiccentnssnenenaseavacnncnagvacntanensebensidaneselntesbinlenn¢ tench danstenedenbarcaeebenscdanstenede 70

Amphibian and Reptile Communities in Hardwood Forest and Old Field Habitats in the
Central Virginia Piedmont
FBS pb OE IVA CCT D5 ay ss we tvs po ease rhbe tities At ise es At ise eds pig AAR claps ccleaa bp ha veel detec eta cate tte ate na aaah Sle eat 79

Caddisfly Species New to, or Rarely Recorded from, the State of Virginia (Insecta: Trichoptera)
CSET Te WORM IM bee DM es care 5 cts sen phicg ees ate cevsavageione otancate om eetecaze om sa sucvecem alter atnya leu pages May cathe siehs om oprees origaremie oo pretense psieine ps tOas ota naraine sid Spcediouevamanedicctioacben 89

Shorter Contributions

The Opuntia Cactus Bug Chelinidea vittiger Rediscovered in Virginia (Heteroptera: Coreidae)
CENLISTO PELE LOIS OMT ccracsh a theaet a atteaneslaewic tna Mice porter alehe™ nice seeheS a racals RF esie Lo Beale po Relgwlacl po Mian npc Pe Galego Whee < See steamers Meouleahoa Hecate beamerend sone 93

Two Robber Flies (Diptera: Asilidae) New to the Virginia Fauna, Plus Notes on Additional
Poorly Known Species
PAPI EVO Ce UN ees, ea cent oxeuscinen osae gate rae teas attics sm eeterien (Mracre > tore pm antecben te eoegSrsea weamecred tuna sma eieracs oobi due once deaeliskocgatucacea napecadtanncd scntateuss Munese 94

Harris’ Checkerspot (Chlosyne harrisii), a Northern Butterfly New to the Fauna of Virginia
(Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae)

Steven IM. Role car Adem Se Vann 9. oke.cces testes ox on steetic o> satewte ros alesaw~ bo tvs cite begs vabeBrerie Pepoiticten businatie dh fateaitanase aingms iw sbdeacen Repelemebatanenichee Mics ne tinle 96
Some Records of Chewing Lice from Carnivores in Virginia

Rea PECK Oni st torah ic AE AM al CoM as ela NCS ee Md oa Palo, POA tnd Hey Cnn ice hal tela asvnat ie MMe tanh ta! 98
Chironomid Midge Hatch Leads to Mass Mortality Event for Chimney Swifts (Chaetura pelagica)

Christopher M. Milensky, Claudia J. Austin, John H. Epler, Christina A. Gebhard, and Gary R. Graves...........cccceseceeeeees 99
Snake Predation on American Oystercatcher Eggs on Fisherman Island, Virginia

Amanda D. Hackney, Joseph C. Mitchell, and Pamela P. Denm0N ..............ceccceccessecceceesseeeeesseeceeeeseneeecesseseaeeeeeneeeeeeees 101
Miscellanea

BRE US ech igre cetera TH ee TR ERE o eT GRUNER GE ORE ROUT pe RN ERT a ae 104

Virginia Natural History Society
Officers, 2014

President

Todd S. Fredericksen
School of Natural Science and Mathematics
Ferrum College
Ferrum, Virginia 24088

tfredericksen @ferrum.edu
(term expires December, 2014)

Vice President

Michael Lachance
Virginia Cooperative Extension
P.O. Box 298
Lovingston, Virginia 22949
lachance @ vt.edu
(term expires December, 2014)

Secretary-Treasurer

William A. Shear
Department of Biology
Hampden-Sydney College
Hampden-Sydney, Virginia 23943
wshear @hsc.edu
(term expires December, 2016)

Councilors
Richard S. Groover, Mechanicsville (term expires December, 2014)
Nancy Moncrief, Martinsville (term expires December, 2016)
[vacant] (term expires December, 2017)

Honorary Councilors

Michael Kosztarab
Joseph C. Mitchell

Webmaster

John White

vhs.webmaster @ verizon.net

Banisteria, Editor

Steven M. Roble
steve.roble @ dcr. virginia.gov

Banisteria, Number 43, pages 3-20
© 2014 Virginia Natural History Society

Land Snails and Slugs (Gastropoda: Caenogastropoda
and Pulmonata) of Two National Parks along the
Potomac River near Washington, District of Columbia

Brent W. Steury

U.S. National Park Service
700 George Washington Memorial Parkway
Turkey Run Park Headquarters
McLean, Virginia 22101

Timothy A. Pearce

Carnegie Museum of Natural History
4400 Forbes Avenue
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213-4080

ABSTRACT

The land snails and slugs (Gastropoda: Caenogastropoda and Pulmonata) of two national parks along the
Potomac River in Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia were surveyed in 2010 and 2011. A total of 64 species
was documented accounting for 60 new county or District records. Paralaoma servilis (Shuttleworth) and Zonitoides
nitidus (Miiller) are recorded for the first time from Virginia and Euconulus polygyratus (Pilsbry) is confirmed from
the state. Previously unreported growth forms of Punctum smithi Morrison and Stenotrema barbatum (Clapp) are

described.

Key words: District of Columbia, Euconulus polygyratus, Gastropoda, land snails, Maryland, national park,
Paralaoma servilis, Punctum smithi, Stenotrema barbatum, Virginia, Zonitoides nitidus.

INTRODUCTION

Land snails and slugs (Gastropoda: Caeno-
gastropoda and Pulmonata) represent a large portion of
the terrestrial invertebrate fauna with estimates ranging
between 30,000 and 35,000 species worldwide (Solem,
1984), including at least 523 native taxa in the eastern
United States (Hubricht, 1985). Known extinctions of
land snails are disproportionately high and there is clear
evidence that over the last few hundred years snail
extinctions have exceeded those known for all other
animal groups combined (Lydeard et al., 2004; Naggs,
2006). Land snails are thought to have low vagility,
often migrating only a few meters per year (Arnaud et
al., 1999), but recent studies suggest that dispersal may
be facilitated by rafting in some species that occur near
rivers (Sinclair, 2010), or in the case of the Japanese
snail Tornatellides boeningi (Schmacker & Boettger),
by traveling while in the digestive tract of birds (Wada
et al., 2011).

Although county-level distributions of native land
gastropods have been published for the eastern United
States (Hubricht, 1985), and for the District of
Columbia and Maryland (Grimm, 1971a), and Virginia
(Beetle, 1973), no published records exist specific to
the areas inventoried during this study, which covered
select national park sites along the Potomac River in
Washington D.C., central Maryland, and northern
Virginia. In an effort to protect better the land snail
fauna of these park areas, this study sought to provide
habitat, relative abundance, and site-specific location
data to identify important areas for land snail
conservation at these national park sites.

STUDY SITE

Inventories were conducted on lands managed by
the National Park Service, National Capital Parks-East
(NCPE) and the George Washington Memorial
Parkway (GWMP). The survey area is encompassed by

4 BANISTERIA

these coordinates (WGS84 Geographic Coordinate
System): N 39.007 W -77.255, N 38.667 W -77.075,
N 39.006 W -77.265, and N 38.806 W -76.999. While
all sites deemed to have potential snail habitat within
the GWMP were surveyed, including sites in the
District of Columbia (Theodore Roosevelt Island [RI]),
and Virginia (Arlington Co.: Potomac Heritage Trail
[PH], Roaches Run Waterfowl Sanctuary [RR]; Fairfax
Co.: Great Falls Park [GF], Turkey Run Park [TR],
Dyke Marsh [DM], Fort Hunt [FH], Little Hunting
Creek [LH]; City of Alexandria: Daingerfield Island
[DI], Jones Point Park [JP]), only portions of NCPE
along the Potomac River were surveyed, including sites
in the District of Columbia (Oxon Cove [OC]) and
Maryland (Charles Co.: Piscataway Park [PP]; Prince
Georges Co.: Fort Foote [FF], Fort Washington [FW],
OC, and PP). These sites lie in the Piedmont and
Coastal Plain physiographic provinces and contain a
diverse array of habitats including wetlands, meadows,
and calcareous and acidic, deciduous dominated
woodlands. The vascular flora of these areas is
correspondingly diverse with 988 taxa documented
from Piscataway and Fort Washington Parks (Steury &
Davis, 2003) and 1,313 taxa from the GWMP (Steury et
al., 2008; Steury, 2011). The historic forts and Endicott
batteries created between 1824 and 1903 at Fort
Washington and Fort Hunt are located in open areas,
surrounded by mowed turf grass or irregularly
maintained meadows, except for Battery Emory in Fort
Washington Park, which is now surrounded by second
growth woodland at the crest of mature, deciduous,
shell marl ravine forest. Other important sites included
the narrowleaf cattail (Typha _ angustifolia L.)
dominated marsh at Dyke Marsh and the pumpkin ash
(Fraxinus profunda [Bush] Bush) swamp forest
surrounding it. Important micro-habitats for snails
included under or inside rotting logs, under loose bark
of fallen trees, and in leaf litter.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Surveys lasting one to five hours were conducted in
2010 and 2011 during the following months: February
(2 dates), March (6), April (8), May (7), June (8), July
(4), August (4), September (4), October (3), and
November (2). Surveys were conducted using 3x
magnifying lenses to look under woody debris, rocks,
leaf litter, loose bark of rotting fallen trees, and along
the bases of concrete structures. Additionally, leaf litter
samples were collected by filling one to three paper
grocery bags (typically 14-18 1) at most sites, and each
habitat type, including talus slopes in Turkey Run Park,
slopes along Difficult Run, ravine forest in Great Falls
Park, shell marl forests in Fort Washington and

NO. 43, 2014

Piscataway parks, upland woods on _ Theodore
Roosevelt Island, and Dyke Marsh swamp. Leaf litter
samples were left in paper bags until dry, sieved in a
hand spun centrifuge (pore sizes 5 x 2 mm to 5 x 20
mm), and examined under a dissecting microscope. In
2010, concurrent with this study, 500 ml cup pitfall
traps were set to collect ground beetles. Bycatch in
these cups often included snails that were added to the
records for this study. Field notes were recorded for
habitat types and locations of each collection.

Voucher specimens were collected for each species
observed and to document new county or state records.
Shells collected at NCPE are deposited at the Museum
Resource Center (MRC) in Landover, Maryland. Shells
collected at GWMP are deposited at Turkey Run
Headquarters in McLean, Virginia.

New county and District records were determined
by comparison with data in DeWitt (1952), Grimm
(197la), Beetle (1973), Dundee (1974), Hubricht
(1985), and Steury & Steury (2011). State record
determinations were based on these literature reviews,
plus records provided by Perez & Cordeiro (2008), and
queries of collection databases at Academy of Natural
Sciences at Philadelphia (ANSP), Bailey-Matthews
Shell Museum (BMSM), Carnegie Museum of Natural
History (CMNH), Field Museum of Natural History
(FMNH), Florida Museum of Natural History
(FLMNH), National Museum of Natural History
(NMNH), Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History
(SBMNH), The Delaware Museum of Natural History
(DMNH), The Ohio State University Museum of
Biological Diversity (OSM), University of Michigan
Museum of Zoology (UMMZ), and Yale Peabody
Museum of Natural History (YPM).

Familial nomenclature and taxonomic order follow
Bouchet & Rocroi (2005), except for Cuionellidae,
which follows Roth (2003). Generic and species names
follow Perez & Cordeiro (2008) and Turgeon et al.
(1998), and are listed alphabetically.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

At least 64 species (ten slugs and 54 snails) in 23
families were documented from 10 national park sites
along the Potomac River near Washington, DC,
including 10 non-natives (7 slugs, 3 snails). All of the
latter are of European origin, except for Paralaoma
servilis (New Zealand) and Milax gagates
(Mediterranean region). Paralaoma_ servilis and
Zonitoides nitidus were documented for the first time
from Virginia and Euconulus_ polygyratus was
confirmed for the state.

Sixty new county or District records were
established (Table 1), including 22 species (eight non-

STEURY & PEARCE: LAND SNAILS =

Table 1. Species (n=64) of land snails and slugs found in national park sites in the District of Columbia (DC), Charles (CH) and
Prince Georges (PG) counties, Maryland, and Arlington (AR) and Fairfax (FA) counties, and the City of Alexandria (CA),
Virginia. New county and city records are indicated by an asterisk (*). Species newly recorded from the District of Columbia and
vicinity since Richards (1934) are marked with a dagger (Tt). Non-native species are marked with an exclamation point (!).

|| cH | PG | AR | CA | FA

x
|ELLOBIDAE __|_Carychiwm exiguum (Say 1822) | S| x* | x* | x | x | OX |
P| Carychiumexite Lea 1842 | TT
| SUCCINEIDAE __|_ +Catinella vermeta (Say. 1824) | TT xX |x xe
po tNovvisuccinen ovalis (Say.1817) | ET
pt Oxyloma ef. effusum (Pfeiffer, 1853) | x* | x | xe || xe | xe |
Pp Oxyloma ef. subeffusa Pilsbry, 1948 |X | TL
| CIONELLIDAE __|_Cochlicopa lubrica (Miller, 1774) | | | x | x TT
po FCochticopa tubricella Porro, 1838) | | xe TT
|PUPILLIDAE ___|_-Pupoides albilabris (CB. Adams. 1841) | | | Xx | TT
| STROBILOPSIDAE _ | Strobilopsaeneus Pilsbry, 1926 | | XT X* | TX
P| Strobitops tabyrinthicus(Say.1817) | | TX
P| tStrobitops texasianus Pilsbry & Ferriss, 1906 | | | X | TT
| VALLONIDAE __|_Valllonia excentrica Sterki 1893 | | | x | xX |X
| VERTIGINIDAE __|_Gastrocopta armifera (Say. 1821) | | | x*# |
po Gastrocopta contracta (Say. 1822) | X | dT X |X | CX
Pp Gastrocopta corticaria Say, 1816) | ET x |
po Gastrocopta pentodon (Say. 1821) | EX |X
Pp Gastrocopta procera Gould, 1840) | TT x | x
po Gastrocopta tappaniana (CB. Adams, 1842) | X | | x | x* | x* | x* |
po Vertigo mitium Gould, 1840) | x |
po Vertigo ovata Say, 1822 | xe Tx xe xe
P| Vertigo pygmaea Draparnaud, 1801) |
| HAPLOTREMATIDAE _| Haplotrema concavum (Say, 1821) |
|PUNCTIDAE | t!Paralaoma servilis (Shuttleworth, 1852) |
po Punctum minutissimum (Lea, 1841) |
po FPunctum smithi Mortison, 1935 |
po Punctum vitreum (AB. Baker, 1930) |
po tn guispira fergusoni (Bland, 1861) |X
pt Discus rotundatus (Miller, 1774) |X
po Lwcitia scintitia (RT Lowe, 1852) |

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|
P| Ventridens suppressus (Say. 1829)
P| Zoonitoides arboreus (Say. 1816)
P| tZonitoides nitidus (Miller, 1774)
P| Btconutus fulvus (Miller, 1774)
P| Euconutus polygyratus Pilsbry. 1899) |
P| Guppy sterkit Dall, 1888) Team
|ZONITIDAE | Glyphyaliinia indentata (Say. 1823) | | TX
pt lyphyatinia tuticola Hubricht, 1966 | |X

P| Gilyphyatinia wheatleyi (Bland, 1883) wt)
OXYCHILIDAE !Oxychilus draparnaudi (Beck, 1837) le MeL Re See |

*

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Ventridens ligera (Say, 1821)
Veni

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6

BANISTERIA

Table 1 (continued).

| | cH | PG | AR | CA | FA |

| PRISTILOMATIDAE | Hawaiia minuscula (A. Binney. 1841) | | | OX | TX
|LIMACIDAE ____|_tAmbigolimax valentiana (Férussac.1823) | | | TX TX LOX
pO tia maximus Linné, 1758 a an a ee
| MILACIDAE | #!Milax gagates(Drapamaud, 1801) | | TX
| AGRIOLIMACIDAE __| Deroceras laeve (Miller, 1774) | X | dT x | xX | x | OX
pt Deroceras reticulatum (Miiller,1774) | ET Tx
| ARIONIDAE | tArion hortensis Ferussac 1819 | ET
po tArion intermedius (Normand 1852) | Tx! x
po tArion subfuscus (Drapamaudi, 1805) | | TX TX OX
| PHILOMYCIDAE _|_ +Megapallifera mutabilis(Hubricht, 1951) | | | Ex
pF Phiilomycus carotinianus Bosc, 1802) | |X | XT TX
| POLYGYRIDAE __|_ Mesodon thyroidus (Say.1816) | X | X | XX | xX | LX
P| Necohnelix atbotabris (Say. 1816) |

NO. 43, 2014

po tStenotrema barbatum Clapp. 1904) a a
P| Trindop sis juxtidens (Pilsbry, 1894) Se i
P| Xolotrema denotatum (Pérussac, 1821) Bie ew

native) added to the regional fauna since the work of
Richards (1934). Thirty-four species were found only
on the Coastal Plain as opposed to five only in the
Piedmont. A total of 22 species was found only in dry
to mesic upland forests, 12 only in open or forested
wetlands, eight only in dry to mesic open areas, and 22
were found in more than one habitat type. Seven
species (10.9%) were documented only by the presence
of shells. The half life of empty shells in habitats
similar to these can extend up to 11.5 years (Pearce,
2008b), suggesting recent occurrences. Fifteen species
were found in the District of Columbia, 51 in Maryland
(49 Prince Georges Co., 13 Charles Co.), and 56 in
Virginia (19 Arlington Co., 19 City of Alexandria, 50
Fairfax Co.). Most of the new county records are
probably not an indication of recent range extensions
but more likely further evidence that distributions of
land snails are poorly known. The historic forts and
Endicott batteries at Fort Washington and Fort Hunt
proved to be especially important sites for land snail
species richness. The now crumbling calcareous mortar
and concrete that was used to construct these sites
seemed to create ideal habitat for snails preferring
calcareous, mesic to xeric, open areas, while the
developing, thin, soil layer over the concrete basal
areas, often covered by thin leaf litter proved to be a
favored habitat for many species of snails. The
calcareous shell marl ravine forests of Fort Washington
and Piscataway parks contained a noticeably higher
density of land snails than the more acidic woodlands
on the Virginia side of the Potomac, not surprisingly

) ee as Ea
pst as | Pel
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since snails are known to be more abundant and diverse
in calcium-rich areas (Hotopp, 2002).

Several species reported here involve challenging
identifications and for some the taxonomy is uncertain.
Smaller zonitid, pristilomatid, and euconulid snails in
genera such as Glyphyalinia, Hawaiia, and Euconulus
possess shells that are notoriously difficult to identify.
Identification of many succineid snails requires genetic
analysis (Hoagland & Davis, 1987), which was not
performed. The material collected during this study will
serve as a baseline for future investigations into the
land snail fauna of areas along the Potomac River near
the District of Columbia.

LIST OF SPECIES
CAENOGASTROPODA
POMATIOPSIDAE

Pomatiopsis lapidaria (Say, 1817) — (DM, FW [Swan
Creek {SC} floodplain], JP, LH, PP [Bull Cove {BC}
marsh, Accokeek Creek {AC} swamp, Wharf Road
{WR} swamp], RI, RR). This is a common amphibious
snail of tidal marshes, swamps, and creek banks on the
Coastal Plain. It was generally found under moist logs
within these habitats but one live snail was captured on
14 April 2010 in a pitfall trap in second growth
woodland 25 m from the shore of Little Hunting Creek.
Live animals were observed between 14 April and 18
October 2010 and as early as 19 February 2011. It was

STEURY & PEARCE: LAND SNAILS 7

commonly associated with Carychium exiguum and
Catinella vermeta. Orstan & Pearce (2011) also
recently reported it from the southern shore of Oxon
Cove in Prince Georges County, Maryland. DeWitt
(1952) reported this species from “Fox’s Ferry,” present
day Oxon Cove.

PULMONATA
ELLOBIIDAE

Carychium exiguum (Say, 1822) — (DM, FW [SC
floodplain], JP, LH, PP [BC, WR swamp], RR. This
snail was found only in tidal Coastal Plain wetlands,
under moist vegetative debris in swamps, and along
marsh edges and creek banks. Live animals were
observed between 18 April and 18 October 2010 and as
early as 19 February 2011. On 17 July 2010, live
animals were found under a moist log 0.7 m x 0.3 m at
the edge of fringe marsh along Swan Creek. Also under
this log were associated species Gastrocopta contracta,
P. lapidaria, Strobilops aeneus, Ventridens ligera,
Vertigo milium, and Zonitoides arboreus.

Carychium exile I. Lea, 1842 — (FW [Battery Emory
{BE}, shell marl ravine forest {SM}], PP [SM], TR).
This is an uncommon but locally abundant snail within
the study area. It was found at four shady, deciduous
forested sites, with seasonally moist leaf litter, on
talus slopes, in upland second growth woodland, and
mature forested ravines, in both the Piedmont and
Coastal Plain. A common associate was Punctum
minutissinum. A well-sorted leaf litter sample
measuring 15.3 | collected on 4 August 2010, from
forested talus slopes in Turkey Run Park contained at
least 152 C. exile, 141 P. minutissimum, 17 G.
contracta, 17 Euconulus fulvus, five Z. arboreus, three
Punctum vitreum, one Glyphyalinia indentata, one
Punctum smithi, one Stenotrema barbatum, and one V.
ligera. Live animals were observed between 2 June and
17 October 2010. Live animals observed 4 August
2010, included juveniles of 2.5 whorls.

SUCCINEIDAE

The taxonomy of this family is not well understood
and the taxon concepts presented below are based
largely on those of previous studies (Grimm, 1971a;
Hubricht, 1985) in the vicinity of Washington, DC. In
addition to the four taxa discussed below, other species
may be present in our area but could not be assigned to
any known described species. Images of live animals
and a comparison of shell characters are presented in
Figs. 1-5.

Catinella vermeta (Say, 1829) — (DM, JP, LH, PP).
This snail was found at four wetland sites on the
Coastal Plain. It was common at one site in Dyke
Marsh under logs in freshwater, tidal, Typha
angustifolia marsh on 14 April 2010. One live animal
was observed in freshwater, tidal, fringe marsh along
Little Hunting Creek on 3 June 2010. Fourteen C.
vermeta were found under woody debris on a tidal
shore of Jones Point on 8 April 2010 and the species
was observed there again on 15 June 2011. A small
population was found under woody debris in
freshwater, tidal, swamp forest along Piscataway Creek
on 19 February 2011. Although 23 species of Catinella
have been reported from the United States (Perez &
Cordeiro, 2008), only three of these, C. hubrichti
Grimm, C. oklahomarum (Webb), and C. vermeta have
been documented from Virginia or Maryland (Hubricht,
1985; Perez & Cordeiro, 2008). Grimm (1960)
provided a comparison of these three species showing a
more pronounced spire in C. vermeta due to an
additional whorl. According to Hubricht (1985), C.
hubrichti is a snail of brackish marshes that climbs
marsh vegetation and C. oklahomarum is found in
upland pine woods. The only Catinella found during
this survey was the higher spired, freshwater, wetland
species, which was never observed climbing vegetation,
and thus we attribute it to C. vermeta (Fig. 2).

Novisuccinea ovalis (Say, 1817) — (TR). On 17 June
2010, 34 live N. ovalis were found at Turkey Run Park
spread over an area of 9 by 9 m located on a sandy
floodplain 25 m from the bank of the Potomac River
under the canopy of a large Juglans nigra L. Twelve
snails were observed climbing the herb Laportea
canadensis (L.) Weddell, nine were on Asarum
canadense L., and five on Geranium maculatum L.
Two were observed climbing the woody vine
Menisperum canadense L. and six were observed on the
woody shrub Lindera benzoin (L.) Blume. Associated
snails at this site were V. ligera, climbing Asarum
canadense, and Mesodon thyroidus, climbing Lindera
benzoin. Pilsbry’s (1948) description of this species as
“larger and more inflated than any other (succineid) of
the region” clearly diagnoses this species. Although the
coloration of the animal is variable (see Pilsbry, 1948,
Fig. 430a and 430b), the animals observed in this
population (Fig. 3) were of a uniform pale color as
shown in Pilsbry’s Fig. 430a.

Oxyloma cf. effusum (Pfeiffer, 1853) — (DM, FW [SC
fringe marsh], JP, LH, PP [BC, Accokeek Marsh], RI).
This is the most common succineid found within the
survey area. It occurred only in freshwater, tidal, T.
angustifolia marshes and surrounding swamps where it

8 BANISTERIA

Fig. 1. From left to right: shells of Novisuccinea ovalis
(Turkey Run Park, 17 June 2010; 18.2 mm), Oxyloma cf.
effusa (Dyke Marsh, 9 September 2010; 18 mm), Oxyloma cf.
subeffusa (Theodore Roosevelt Island, 15 June 2011; 11.5
mm), and Catinella vermeta (Dyke Marsh, 14 April 2010; 7.8
mm). Hash marks are in mm.

Fig. 2. Catinella vermeta, Jones Point Park, City of
Alexandria, Virginia, 15 June 2011.

~.

Fig. 3. Novisuccinea ovalis, Turkey Run Park, Fairfax
County, Virginia, 17 June 2010.

was easily found climbing high on the leaves and stems
of Typha and Sagittaria, or under woody debris during
cooler months. Live animals were observed between 14
April and 18 October 2010 and on 17 March 2011.
Eggs probably hatch in late August or early September
since a live animal with a 1.3 mm shell was collected

NO. 43, 2014

Fig. 4. Oxyloma cf. effusa, Dyke Marsh, Fairfax County,
Virginia, 15 June 2011.

Fig. 5. Oxyloma cf. subeffusa, Theodore Roosevelt Island,
District of Columbia, 15 June 2011.

on 9 September 2010. Descriptions of O. effusum and
its habits by Grimm (1971a) fit well with observations
of this species (Fig. 4) in the study area. Perez &
Cordeiro (2008) reported 16 species of Oxyloma from
the United States, including two (O. effusum and O.
subeffusm Pilsbry) from Maryland and Virginia. Their
inclusion of O. retusum (I. Lea) for Virginia is probably
based in error on Hubricht’s (1985) record from
bordering Pendleton County, West Virginia. This is a
wide-ranging species north of Virginia, extending
across the northern tier of states west to California, and
south to New Mexico, southern Illinois, and West
Virginia, whereas O. effusum is a species of the Atlantic
Coast from New Jersey to Florida (Hubricht, 1985;
Perez & Cordeiro, 2008). Grimm (1971a) stated that
records of O. decampi gouldi Pilsbry (synonymized
with O. retusum by Hubricht, 1985, as suggested by
Grimm, 197la) from Maryland were based on
misidentifications of O. subeffusm or Catinella
hubrichti Grimm. To further complicate matters,
Grimm (1981) suggested O. d. gouldi is equivalent to
O. verrilli (Bland), a species Hubricht (1985)
synonymized with O. groenlandica (Moller), which is

STEURY & PEARCE: LAND SNAILS 9

known from Iceland, Greenland, and Canada. Orstan
(2010) stated “some uncertainty” about his record of O.
retusum from Montgomery County, Maryland, 64.4 km
north of Dyke Marsh. Although there are some
similarities in the Montgomery County and Dyke
Marsh Oxyloma populations (both apparently hatch
young in late August or early September), there were
also notable differences (the longest shell of any animal
measured from Montgomery County was 14 mm and
the longest shell found by September was 9 mm, while
at Dyke Marsh, shells as long as 18 mm were observed
in September). Pilsbry (1948) listed a maximum length
of 16.3 mm for O. retusum and 19.5 mm for O. effusum.
We believe all Oxyloma found in the survey area are
best attributed to O. effusum based primarily on
previously documented ranges (Hubricht, 1985) and
shell length. Additionally, the broader aperture shape of
Dyke Marsh Oxyloma more closely approximate
Pilsbry’s (1948) Fig. 423d of O. effusum from New
Jersey than it does the narrower aperture of O. retusum
from Illinois in Fig. 421a. A detailed genetic analysis of
Oxyloma from the District of Columbia area is
warranted.

Oxyloma cf. subeffusa Pilsbry, 1948 — (RI). This snail
was observed only on Theodore Roosevelt Island on 24
March and 15 June 2011, scattered under moist woody
debris in a tidal swamp and moist woodland between a
small marsh and the Potomac River. Although Grimm
(1971a) described the ground color of O. subeffusa as
pale gray, Pilsbry’s (1948) description of its ground
color as very pale gray or faintly yellowish better
describes the specimens from Theodore Roosevelt
Island. The form, color, and size of the shell, and the
pattern and color of our material (Fig. 5), match exactly
Fig. 418a of Pilsbry (1948). Both Grimm (1971a) and
Hubricht (1985) mentioned that O. subeffusa does not
climb vegetation, which is _ consistent with our
observations. O. subeffusa is a globally rare (G3) snail
found only along the Atlantic Coast from southern
Virginia to New Jersey (Hubricht, 1985). It is ranked as
an S1 “extremely rare and critically imperiled” species
in Virginia (Roble, 2013). Pilsbry (1948) mentioned a
collection from Washington, DC without citing a
specific locality. Theodore Roosevelt Island would be
the westernmost site known in the distribution of O.
subeffusa.

The only other succineid species previously
reported for Maryland and Virginia are Succinea
campestris Say, a species associated with dry, beach
dune grasses, and S. wilsoni I. Lea, a high-spired
species of brackish marshes. Additionally, S. indiana
Pilsbry, a species of dry, sunny, bare ground, has been

recorded from Maryland, but not Virginia. Non-
indigenous succineid species, such as Oxyloma salleana
(Pfeiffer) from the Mississippi River drainage or the
European Succinea putris (L.) which has been reported
from sites as near as northern Pennsylvania (Pearce,
2008a), potentially could also occur in the survey area.
Reports of the federally threatened Novisuccinea
chittenangoensis (Pilsbry) from southwestern Virginia,
in Tazewell County, by Hubricht (1985) and cited by
Perez & Cordeiro (2008) were refuted by Hoagland &
Davis (1987) and upheld by Niver (2010).

CIONELLIDAE

Cochlicopa lubrica (Miller, 1774) — (FW [Battery
Humphries {BH}, Battery Wilkin {BW}], JP, OC).
Live snails were found between 17 April and 15 June in
dry to seasonally mesic, sunny, open locations with
little or no vegetation on thin calcareous soils over
concrete and often under shallow leaf litter and rarely
on moist tidal shores. The two Cochlicopa species
found during this inventory have been shown to be
distinct in Europe based on allozyme patterns and shell
variables (Armbruster and Schlegel, 1994; Armbruster,
1995). Until North American forms are similarly
studied, we accept the separation proposed by
Armbruster (1995) of mature shells with a maximum
shell diameter < 2.2 mm to be C. lubricella and shells
with a diameter > 2.3 mm to be C. lubrica. A shell was
found in a mouse nest on a capped landfill on the
northern shore of Oxon Cove, a few meters from the
District of Columbia line. The Oxon Cove and Jones
Point shells were larger (5.9-6.2 mm long, 2.6-2.7 mm
wide) than any shell found at Fort Washington (largest
5.1 mm long, 2.4 mm wide). Grimm (1971a) stated that
this species is synanthropic east of Garrett County,
Maryland.

Cochlicopa lubricella (Porro, 1838) — (FW [BW)).
Shells were found only at Battery Wilkin in association
with the more common C. lubrica.

PUPILLIDAE

Pupoides albilabris (C.B. Adams, 1841) — (FW [BE,
Battery Meigs {BM}, BW, Fort Washington {fw}]).
This snail was observed only on the Coastal Plain
where it preferred dry to seasonally mesic, sunny, open
locations with little or no vegetation on thin
circumneutral soils over concrete and often under
shallow leaf litter. It was common only at Battery
Wilkin (live snails on 17 July 2010), uncommon at
Battery Meigs, and rare at Fort Washington and Battery

10 BANISTERIA

Emory. Shells found at Battery Emory were in shady,
second growth forest.

STROBILOPSIDAE

Strobilops aeneus Pilsbry, 1926 — (DM, FW [BE, BW,
SC floodplain forest], GF, LH, PP [AC swamp, SM],
TR). This was a common snail within the survey area
generally found under loose bark of fallen trees in
woodlands or swamps, but also occasionally found in
leaf litter. Shells were rarely found at dry, open sites.
Live snails were observed between 5 March and 13
November.

Strobilops labyrinthicus (Say, 1817) — (LH). The lone
animal was found on 3 June 2010 in a moist log on the
bank of Little Hunting Creek in association with S.
aeneus. Hubricht (1985) recorded it mostly from
western Virginia, and Grimm (1971a) documented it in
Maryland only from three northwestern counties, but
Norden (2008a) added Montgomery County. It is likely
rare on the Virginia Coastal Plain.

Strobilops texasianus Pilsbry & Ferriss, 1906 — (FW
[BM, BW]). This is a rare snail in the survey area (only
shell material was found), recorded only on the Coastal
Plain at dry, open sites associated with historic Endicott
batteries and forts. The shell sculpture differences
between S. texasiana and S. labyrinthicus are subtle.
Pilsbry (1948) separated them by the coarseness of the
ribbing, calling S. labyrinthicus “finely ribbed” and
S. texasiana “coarsely ribbed,” and noted that S.
labyrinthicus matures at 1.7-1.8 mm high while S.
texasiana may be as high as 2.0 mm. Burch (1962) was
slightly more specific, and referred to ribbing on the
base of the shell as “absent or poorly developed” in
S. labyrinthicus and “well developed” in S. texasiana.
Our specimen of S. labyrinthicus measured 1.8 mm
high and had 41 ribs on the base that became almost
obsolete near the aperture, while our most characteristic
S. texasiana specimen was 1.9 mm high, had 31 ribs on
the base, and possessed noticeably higher ribs on the
spire.

VALLONIIDAE

Vallonia excentrica Sterki, 1893 — (FH, FW [BH, BM,
BW, fw], RR). This is a locally common snail typically
found in dry to mesic, open, grassy, sometimes mossy,
sites on the Coastal Plain along the base of concrete or
mortared walls of historic forts and batteries. It was the
most commonly observed snail at the base of the walls
of Fort Washington. A shell was found at the edge of a

NO. 43, 2014

marsh at Roaches Run. Live snails were observed only
on 17 April 2010.

VERTIGINIDAE

Gastrocopta armifera (Say, 1821) — (FW [BW, fw)]).
This is the largest of the Gastrocopta species found
during the survey. It occurred at only two sites (both on
the Coastal Plain) in dry to seasonally mesic, sunny,
open locations with little or no vegetation, except turf
grass or moss, on thin calcareous soils, often over
concrete and under shallow leaf litter. Live snails were
found between 17 April and 17 July 2010.

Gastrocopta contracta (Say, 1822) — (DM, FF, FH, FW
[BE, BM, Battery Smith {BS}, BW, fw, SC floodplain
forest, SM,], Gulf Branch [GB], GF, RI, TR). This is by
far the most common Gastrocopta species documented
within the study area. It was found at nearly every site
and in a wide variety of habitats from dry, sunny, open
sites, to leaf litter in shady ravine forests, and under
loose bark of logs in swamps, on both the Coastal Plain
and Piedmont. Live animals were observed between 17
April and 7 October 2010.

Gastrocopta corticaria (Say, 1816) — (FW [BE, fw)]).
This was the rarest Gastrocopta within the survey area,
documented only by two shells. Both were found at
calcareous Coastal Plain sites created by the presence of
forts or Endicott batteries constructed between 1824
and 1903. Typically thought of as a forest species found
on logs or tree trunks, the presence of a shell at the
base of a wall of Fort Washington, an open, dry to
mesic, calcareous, area surround by turf grass, is
uncharacteristic for this species (Norden, 2007), which
may indicate that it was moved to this location.

Gastrocopta pentodon (Say, 1821) — (FH [Battery
Robinson {BR}, Battery Sater {BSa}], FW [BE, BW]).
This snail was uncommon but locally abundant. Typical
habitat included dry, open, sunny sites such as Battery
Robinson, which was completed in 1904. Live snails
were observed between 18 July and 17 October 2010.
Some forms of the shell of this species can closely
approximate those of G. tappaniana. The methods of
Pearce et al. (2007) and Nekola & Coles (2010) were
used to distinguish between them. However, within the
survey area, G. pentodon was found only in dry to
mesic upland habitats, and resembled G. p. form
gracilis Sterki of Vanatta & Pilsbry (1906), which has
five teeth and is subcylindric, whereas G. tappaniana
was typically found in wetlands, is broader, and always
has more than five teeth.

STEURY & PEARCE: LAND SNAILS 11

Gastrocopta procera (Gould, 1840) — (FH [BSa], (FW
[BH, BM, BW, fw]). This species was found only in
association with forts and batteries on the Coastal Plain
and always in low abundance. It was most common at
Battery Humphries where three shells were found. Live
snails were observed between 17 April and 16 June
2010, climbing on concrete and mortared stone walls.

Gastrocopta tappaniana (C.B. Adams, 1842) — (DM
swamp, FW [BW], JP, LH, PP [AC swamp, WR
swamp], RI, RR). This species was uncommon within
the survey area, generally found under moist logs in
swamps on the Coastal Plain, however two shells were
found at a dry upland site at Battery Wilkin. Live snails
were found between 19 February and 7 October. For
identification notes, see G. pentodon. Juveniles with
developing dentition were found on 7 October 2010
in Dyke Marsh Swamp. The angulo-parietal and
columellar lamellae are the first to form in this species.
It was associated with Vertigo ovata at Dyke Marsh.

Vertigo milium (Gould, 1840) — (FW [BE, BM, BW,
SC floodplain], PP [WR swamp]). This tiny snail was
found in a variety of Coastal Plain habitats, including
second growth woodland, dry, open sites, swamps, and
shores. It was most common in second growth
woodland at Battery Emory where 68 shells and a few
live animals were found on 17 October 2010 in a leaf
litter sample measuring 17.85 1.

Vertigo ovata Say, 1822 — (DM, JP, PP [BC]), RR).
Live specimens were found under loose bark of rotting,
fallen trees, under wood debris, climbing moist, shaded,
fallen logs, and in wet leaf litter. Collection dates
ranged from 17 March to 7 October.

Vertigo pygmaea (Draparnaud, 1801) — (FH [BSa], FW
[BM, BW]). This species was found (mostly as shells)

only on the Coastal Plain at dry, open Endicott battery
sites. A live immature snail was found in Fort Hunt
Park at Battery Sater on 16 June 2010.

HAPLOTREMATIDAE

Haplotrema concavum (Say, 1821) — (Claude Moore
Farm, FW [BE, SM], GF, PP, TR). This uncommon,
omnivorous snail was found at both Piedmont and
Coastal Plain sites but was most numerous in shell marl
ravine forest on the Coastal Plain, where the only live
animal was found on 19 September 2010 under a
rotting log.

PUNCTIDAE

Paralaoma servilis (Shuttleworth, 1852) — (JP) (Fig. 6).
During 1.5 hours of search effort on 17 March 2011,
23 live snails and eight shells were found under woody
debris deposited by storm tides along the western shore
of Jones Point. Associated species included C. exiguum,
C. vermeta, Deroceras laeve, Deroceras reticulatum, P.
lapidaria, and V. ligera. This species is native to New
Zealand (Brooks, 1999) and possibly Australia (Price &
Webb, 2006) but has been introduced to North and
South America, Europe, and the Pacific Islands. In
western North America it was long mistaken as a native
species described as Punctum conspectum (Bland)
(Pilsbry, 1948). It is easily distinguished from the
Punctum species in the survey area by its larger size
(almost twice the diameter) and higher, more irregularly
spaced ribs on the last whorl. This is the first record for
Virginia and to our knowledge the first published
record for the eastern United States (Dundee, 1974;
Robinson & Slapcinsky, 2005; Perez & Cordeiro,
2008). It was also recently collected in Washington, DC
outside the study area (CMNH 121988, “across street
from 4100 Cathedral Ave.”, Pearce, 8 March 2012).

|

Fig. 6. Paralaoma servilis. Left to right: Live specimen, 17 March 2011, Jones Point Park, City of Alexandria, Virginia;
dorsal view of empty shell; ventral view of empty shell. Hash marks are in mm.

12 BANISTERIA

Fig. 7. Punctum species found in the study area from left to
right, P. minutissimum (Fairfax County, VA, Turkey Run
Park, 4 August 2010), P. smithi (Prince Georges County, MD,
Fort Washington, 19 June 2010), and P. vitreum (Prince
Georges County, MD, Fort Washington, 17 October 2010).

Punctum minutissimum (1. Lea, 1841) — (FW [BE, SM],
GF, PH, PP, TR). This is probably a very common snail
in the survey area but due to its minute size it was
detected only in moist leaf litter samples from
deciduous woodlands on both the Coastal Plain and
Piedmont. Live animals were observed on 19 June and
4 August 2010 and 17 March 2011. The three Punctum
species found during this survey are fairly distinctive
when compared side by side (Fig. 7). P. smithi is the
smallest at maturity, possesses at least one lamella on
the base inside the aperture, and has the palest and most
transparent shell. P. minutissimum lacks lamellae and
has closely spaced and regularly occurring riblets of
equal height, and P. vitreum is the darkest in life and
possesses higher major riblets interspaced with 4 to 8
minor riblets.

Punctum smithi Morrison, 1935 — (FW [BE, SM], GF,
PP [SM], TR). The habitat and distribution of this
species were the same as for P. minutissimum but it was
slightly more common in shell marl forest on the
Coastal Plain than in the Piedmont. It was also found on
hummocks in Great Falls Swamp. These two species
were often found together, but rarely in equal numbers
(e.g., Fort Washington Park leaf litter sample: 124 P.
smithi, 4 P. minutissimum,; Turkey Run Park leaf litter
sample: 141 P. minutissimum, 1 P. smithi). Live
animals were observed on 19 June and 4 August 2010.

A previously undescribed growth form (Fig. 8) was
found at three sites in Fort Washington Park occurring
with typical P. smithi. It is easily distinguished from
typical P. smithi by possessing two lamellae within the
aperture, one at the normal position and a more interior
one. Although variation in the dentition of P. smithi has
been noted (Hubricht, 1951), it has been in reference to
the length and shape of a single basal lamella rather
than the number of lamellae. The type description for

NO. 43, 2014

Fig. 8. Punctum smithi, form with two lamellae, found at three
sites in Ft. Washington Park, Prince Georges County,
Maryland. Arrows indicate locations of two lamellae.

this species (Morrison, 1935), and others since that time
(Pilsbry, 1948; Burch, 1962; Hubricht, 1974), mention
only one basal lamella just inside the aperture.
Collections of P. smithi at Fort Washington Park
indicate that 5.8% of the population is the bidentate
form.

Punctum vitreum (H.B. Baker, 1930) — (FW [BE], PP
[SM], TR). This was the least common of the Punctum
species in the survey area. It was more common on the
Coastal Plain but found at only 3 forested sites in leaf
litter. Live animals were observed on 17 October and
13 November 2010. In the Piedmont, it was represented
by 3 empty shells found in leaf litter from forested talus
slopes in Turkey Run Park.

DISCIDAE

Anguispira alternata (Say, 1816) — FW [BE, BS,
Battery White {BWh}, fw, SM], GF, PP, RI). Found at
most woodland sites in the Piedmont and Coastal Plain
sections of the survey area and also in dry, open areas at
historic batteries. It was most common in shell marl
ravine forest in Fort Washington Park. All of the shells
within the survey area have a low spire and angular
periphery characteristic of Pilsbry’s (1948) form
angulata. By comparison, Norden (2008a) reported that
only 40% of A. alternata shells on Plummers Island,
Maryland, on the opposite shore from the study area,
exhibited an angular periphery. Animals of this species
have orange mucus.

STEURY & PEARCE: LAND SNAILS 13

Anguispira fergusoni (Bland, 1861) — (GF, PH, PP, RI,
TR). Surprisingly, this species was scarcer on the
Coastal Plain than in the Piedmont area of the survey.
Hubricht (1985) asserted that A. fergusoni is an
inhabitant of the Atlantic Coastal Plain that has
followed floodplains up into the Piedmont region.
Pilsbry (1948) described it as being found on the
Coastal Plain but as being most common at or near the
Fall Line. The only Coastal Plain animals found during
this survey were on Theodore Roosevelt Island, just
below the Fall Line, on 31 March 2010, and in shell
marl ravine forest in Piscataway Park, where it was
associated with the typically montane species
Xolotrema denotatum. It was much more common in
the Piedmont, in shady, oak dominated woodland,
usually under stones or fallen limbs. On 22 June 2010,
one snail in Great Falls Park was found climbing the
trunk of Carpinus caroliniana Walt. to 3 m along the
River Trail south of Sandy Landing. The periphery of
this shell is rounded and the mucus is clear.

Discus rotundatus (Miller, 1774) — (OC). This
introduced European snail was documented only on a
landfill at Oxon Cove in the District of Columbia
(Steury & Steury, 2011). Three shells and 51 live snails
were found.

HELICODISCIDAE

Helicodiscus parallelus (Say, 1817) — (FH, FW [BE,
BWh, fw, SM], GF, LH , PH, PP [AC swamp, SM],
RI). This species was widespread but uncommon in the
study area. The most shells found at one site was seven
in a 13.77 | leaf litter sample from shell marl forest in
Fort Washington Park. It seems to be a_ habitat
generalist occurring in forests, swamp hummocks, and
drier, open sites, under bark, and in leaf litter. Live
animals were observed between 16 June and 17 October
2010 and on 5 March 2011.

Lucilla scintilla (R.T. Lowe, 1852) — (FH, PP [SM]).
Lucilla inermis H.B. Baker was recently synonymized
with L. scintilla (Horsak et al., 2009). This was a rare
snail in the survey area, represented only by single
shells found at Battery Sater in Fort Hunt Park and in
mature shell marl ravine forest along Accokeek Creek
in Piscataway Park. Hawatia minuscula is similar in
appearance, but these species can be distinguished
under magnification by differences in shell sculpture,
(uneven, distinct, growth wrinkles in H. minuscula
compared to the smooth, paraffin or porcelain-like
surface of L. inermis, which may have a few growth
wrinkles near the aperture). We used Horsak et al.
(2009) to distinguish L. scintilla from L. singleyana

(Pilsbry), which has been documented from near the
study area.

GASTRODONTIDAE

Striatura meridionalis (Pilsbry & Ferriss, 1906) — (FW
[BE], GF, PP [SM], TR). This was a widespread but
uncommon snail found at four sites in leaf litter of
deciduous woods and also on hummocks in Great Falls
Swamp.

Striatura milium (E.S. Morse, 1859) — (GF, TR). This
snail was found only in the Piedmont section of the
survey area in leaf litter in deciduous forested ravines.
It is rare (SIS3) in the Commonwealth (Roble, 2013).
These sites are near the southernmost known for this
species. Live snails were observed on 19 September
2010. The embryonic whorl of S. milium lacks the
spiral lirae of S. meridionalis.

Ventridens ligera (Say, 1821) — (DI, DM, FF, FW [BE,
BH, BM, BS, BW, BWh, fw, SC floodplain, SM,], GF,
JP, LH, OC, PH, PP, RI, TR). This snail and Zonitoides
arboreus are the most easily found snails within the
survey area. It occurred at most upland sites in both
moist and dry situations, and rarely in wetlands. One
individual was found at the top of a Pycnanthemum
tenuifolium Schrad., 80 cm above the sandy substrate,
at Sandy Landing, in Great Falls Park.

Ventridens suppressus (Say, 1829) — (FH, FW [BE,
BM, BW, fw], GF, LH, PH, TR). This was a
widespread but uncommon snail within the survey area.
Solitary individuals were typically found at the base of
large rocky outcrops or boulders in deciduous woods,
but an aggregation of 21 shells and nine live animals
was found at Battery Wilkin, a dry open site, on 17
April 2010. Eight of these shells were adults with one
denticle and 22 were multi-denticled juveniles. A live
snail was also found on a hummock in Great Falls
Swamp. Live snails were observed between 17 April
and 19 September 2010. Ventridens virginicus
(Vanatta), a similar species that has been reported from
just west of the survey area, differs from V. suppressus
in having two denticles at maturity, one (usually bifid)
along the columellar margin and the other lamella
relatively high on the palatal margin. At maturity, V.
suppressus has one uncleaved denticle located at the
base of the columellar margin, and subadults have a
lamella relatively low on the palatal margin. There was
no evidence of V. virginicus within the survey area.

Zonitoides arboreus (Say, 1816) — (DM, FF, FH, FW
[BE, BM, BW, BS, fw, SM, SC floodplain], GB, GF,

14 BANISTERIA

—

Fig. 9. Zonitoides nitidus, live specimen, 17 March 2011,
Jones Point Park, City of Alexandria, Virginia.

JP, LH, PH, PP, RI, TR). This is the most commonly
observed snail within the survey area. It is found in all
habitats (deciduous forests, swamps, and dry open sites)
under logs, loose bark, and in leaf litter, but it is
probably most common in upland deciduous woods.

Zonitoides nitidus (Miller, 1774) — (DI, JP, PP [WR
floodplain forest]). This snail (Fig. 9) was found at
three sites during the survey, including a live adult and
two live juveniles found on 28 July 2010 along the bank
of the Potomac River under woody storm debris left by
high tides near a small freshwater marsh on
Daingerfield Island. On 19 February and 17 March
2011, it was found in very similar habitat near Wharf
Road at Piscataway Park and at Jones Point,
respectively. Other records of this snail along the
Potomac River, from the northwest, are limited to
Garrett County, Maryland, a distance of 273 km.
Richards (1934) reported a collection from Baltimore,
64 km northward. The largest shell measured 6.7 mm at
the largest diameter. In comparison to Z. arboreus,
Z. nitidus is larger at maturity (6-7 mm), has a higher
Spire, possesses a more convex base and rounder
aperture, and lacks spiral striation on the shell. In life,
Z. nitidus is darker, and the shell is more transparent
and amber colored. This is the first record for Virginia
and the Maryland site is the southernmost record for the
East Coast of North America.

EUCONULIDAE

Euconulus dentatus (Sterki, 1893) — (FH [BR], GF).
This snail was found at only two sites, including a dry
Open site on the Coastal Plain (1 shell) and a small
colony on 15 September 2010 in the Piedmont in moist
leaf litter near the mouth of an unnamed drainage
leading to Difficult Run. This species is_ easily

NO. 43, 2014

distinguished from the next two, by possessing a few,
low lamellae, elongate in a radial direction, in the base
of the last whorl.

Euconulus fulvus (Miller, 1774) — (TR). This species
was found only in leaf litter on a forested talus slope in
the Piedmont, the easternmost known locality in
Virginia. J. Slapcinsky identified these specimens
through comparisons with material at FLMNH, noting
the larger and relatively flatter, more loosely coiled
species as E. fulvus. A genetic study of Euconulus is
desirable because the shells and genitalia are relatively
simple and their small size makes detailed anatomical
work difficult.

Euconulus polygyratus (Pilsbry, 1899) — (FW [SM],
GF, PP [SM]). This species was found in both the
Piedmont and Coastal Plain at a total of three sites. All
collections were from leaf litter, including two sites in
shady, deciduous forested ravines. At Great Falls it
occurred in association with FE. dentatus. Three
additional lots of E. polygyratus from Fairfax County
were found at FLMNH (299067 & 299088; Popes
Head Road at Popes Head Creek and Occoquan
Regional Park, both J. Slapcinsky) and CMNH (85289;
Mt. Vernon, G.H. Clapp).

Hubricht (1985) and Perez & Cordeiro (2008) did
not list FE. polygyratus from Virginia, but Beetle (1973),
without citing specific specimens or localities, recorded
this species from Alleghany and Pulaski counties.
Specimens identified as Euconulus chersinus (Say), a
species with shell morphology very similar to that of E.
polygyratus, were located at FMNH, collected by L.
Hubricht between 1945 and 1972 from western (Giles
Co.) and southern (Pittsylvania and Sussex counties),
Virginia. However, these records did not appear in
the mapped distribution of this species he compiled
(Hubricht, 1985). In that paper, Hubricht placed more
than 440 km between his records of E. polygyratus in
Frederick County, Maryland, and EF. chersinus and E.
trochulus (Reinhardt) in northeastern Tennessee and
southwestern Virginia, respectively.

Guppya sterkii (Dall, 1888) — (FW [SM], PP [SM]).
This minute species was represented within the survey
area by one live snail collected from leaf litter on the
north side of Fort Washington Park on 17 October 2010
and by five live animals found along Accokeek Creek
on 30 April 2011.

ZONITIDAE

Glyphyalinia indentata complex (Authors) — (FW [BE,
BH, SM], GF, LH, PH, PP, RR). This species complex

STEURY & PEARCE: LAND SNAILS 15

was found throughout the survey area (all shells except
one live snail on 24 August 2010) in upland leaf litter
or under rotting logs, but not in high abundance. Two
shells were found on hummocks in Great Falls Swamp.
In dry to mesic, upland, shell marl forest in Piscataway
Park, shells with forms attributable to this group ranged
in color from transparent pinkish or pale brown, to clear
(when young), to opaque and yellowish brown. The
degree of spiral striation was also variable. This taxon
complex is actually a series of undescribed anatomical
species, with few or no shell differences (Hubricht,
1985). Of Glyphyalinia species having a minute
umbilicus, G. cryptomphala can be separated by having
a tongue-shaped callus covering the umbilicus. Five
species (G. junaluskana [Clench & Banks], G. sculptilis
[Bland], G. pecki Hubricht, G. picea Hubricht, and G.
latebricola Hubricht) can be separated by having more
numerous radiating grooves, 43-82 grooves on the last
whorl. Glyphyalinia luticola, with 20 grooves on the
last whorl, can be separated from the remaining species
by shell color and habitat. We group the remaining six
species, with 26-38 grooves on the last whorl, in the G.
indentata complex (G. carolinensis [Cockerell], G.
indentata [Say], G. ocoae Hubricht, G. praecox [H.B.
Baker], G. rimula Hubricht, and G. umbilicata
[Cockerell]). Three of these species (G. carolinensis, G.
indentata, and G. praecox) have been reported from the
vicinity of Washington, DC. In addition, any similar-
looking undescribed species mentioned by Hubricht
(1985) would be in this complex.

Glyphyalinia cf. luticola Hubricht, 1966 — (DM, PP).
Shells were found in both cat-tail marsh and the
surrounding swamp forests and a live animal was found
in floodplain swamp along Piscataway Creek on 19
February 2011. This species was separated with
difficulty from specimens in the G. indentata complex
following the recommendations of Hubricht (1966) that
shells found in marshes and swamps, with a coppery
color and smaller umbilicus are G. luticola. The
transverse grooves on the four specimens attributable to
G. luticola were more widely spaced at nearly four
whorls, especially near the aperture, than in G.
indentata from upland sites.

Glyphyalinia cryptomphala (Clapp, 1915) — (FW [BM],
TR). One shell was found at each of two sites in the
survey area, in deciduous forest and a dry, open site. At
maturity, this species is distinguished from G. indentata
by its closed umbilicus, or a tongue-shaped, calcareous
flap over the umbilicus. We follow Turgeon et al.
(1998) in treating Glyphyalinia solida (H.B. Baker) as a
synonym of G. cryptomphala.

Glyphyalinia wheatleyi (Bland, 1883) — (FW [SM], GF,
PP [SM], TR). This species was regularly found in low
numbers in leaf litter on the Coastal Plain and in the
Piedmont. It was found alive on 19 September and 17
October 2010. Nesovitrea electrina (Gould), a similar
species that reaches its southern Coastal Plain limits in
northern Virginia but not recorded during this study,
differs from G. wheatleyi in its smaller size at maturity
(to 5.2 mm), preference for wetter habitats, smoother
shell nearly lacking radial grooves, and especially by its
rounder aperture.

OXY CHILIDAE

Oxychilus draparnaudi (Beck, 1837) — (JP, OC). This
introduced European snail was found on a landfill site
at the border of the District of Columbia and Prince
Georges County (Steury & Steury, 2011). A live animal
was found in the City of Alexandria on 8 April 2010
under a concrete slab.

PRISTILOMATIDAE

Hawaiia minuscula (A. Binney, 1841) — (DM swamp,
FF, FH, FW [BE, BH, BM, BS, BW, fw], PP [SM, WR
swamp]). This species was found only on the Coastal
Plain, where it was most common at historic batteries
and forts surrounded by turf grass. It was also found in
historically similar areas with concrete or mortar that
have succeeded to second growth woodland (Battery
Emory) or even at sites that are now mature forest
(where it was found in leaf litter) such as the rifle butts
along the river trail at Fort Washington Park and shell
marl ravine forest in Piscataway Park. It was the most
common snail found at Fort Hunt Park. Live snails were
observed between 17 April and 16 October 2010.
Hubricht (1985) described its habitat as bare ground on
floodplains, meadows, roadsides, and waste ground in
urban areas, noting that he had never found it in leaf
litter. However, Baker (1939) described its habitat as
woodlands of oak, hickory, and sycamore. Within the
study area, seven live snails with shell form and
sculpture seemingly identical to H. minuscula were
found in swamp habitats (under loose bark of a fallen
tree in Dyke Marsh swamp on 18 October 2010, with
Vertigo ovata, and on 5 March 2011, under loose bark
in a remote swamp at Accokeek Creek). Both of these
populations differed slightly in life (yellowish tan
bodies visible through the transparent shell) from H.
minuscula found in open’ grassy areas (shells
occasionally tinted yellow instead of the more common
transparent or opaque white color, but the paler animals
give the transparent shells a whiter appearance). A shell

16 BANISTERIA

found in a swamp at Wharf Road was likely attributable
to river drift. Shells from open grassy areas of juvenile
animals up to 3.5 whorls are usually transparent and
become opaque white at maturity or with shell aging
after death. A more thorough examination of the swamp
Hawaiia is warranted to determine whether habitat or
diet could account for the different body coloration or if
it may prove to be a different or new species.

LIMACIDAE

Ambigolimax valentiana (Férussac, 1823) — (Colling-
wood Picnic Area, JP, RR). Five of these introduced
slugs, native to the Iberian Peninsula of Europe and
previously placed in the genus Lehmannia, were found
after dark on the curb of a parking lot near the Potomac
River on 11 June 2011. Three days later, a colony of
nine slugs was found under moist debris in swamp
forest and the next day, one slug was found in similar
habitat at Jones Point. This species was previously
unrecorded from any county in the survey area.

Limax maximus Linnaeus, 1758 — (DI, FW [SM], GF,
JP, TR). This large introduced European slug was
uncommon in the survey area. It was typically found in
woodlands under logs.

MILACIDAE

Milax gagates (Draparnaud, 1801) — (TR). Eleven of
these introduced slugs native to the western
Mediterranean and Canary Islands were found along the
concrete base of an office building in Turkey Run Park
on 19 June 2011.

AGRIOLIMACIDAE

Deroceras laeve (Miller, 1774) — (DM, JP, PP [WR
swamp], RI, RR). This native slug occurred only in
wetlands (e.g. under logs in a cat-tail marsh [9
September 2010; n = 2]; wet leaf litter in swamps [7
October 2010; n = 2]). It was found on the shore of
Jones Point on 3 March 2011, and as early as 19
February, in swamps at Wharf Road.

Deroceras reticulatum (Miller, 1774) — (JP, PH).
Thirteen of these introduced European slugs were found
on the western shore of Jones Point under woody debris
on 3 March 2011 and one was observed at a culvert
outfall on the bank of the Potomac River along the
Potomac Heritage Trail on 17 June 2011. The
population at Jones Point is highly variable in color,
ranging from a dark gray to a pale cream background
with variable amounts of dark reticulations. When

NO. 43, 2014

disturbed, this slug secretes a milky mucus diagnostic
for the species (McDonnell et al., 2009). This species
was previously unrecorded from any county in the
study area.

ARIONIDAE

Arion hortensis Férussac, 1819 — (DI). This introduced
European slug was found under a log along a wooded
bank of the Potomac River. This taxon concept was
expanded by Davies (1979) to include three similar
species (A. distinctus Mabille, A. hortensis, and A.
owenii Davies). Pearce & Bayne (2003) determined the
first two of these occur in the eastern United States. The
key provided by McDonnell et al. (2009) suggests that
the population on Daingerfield Island is A. hortensis,
having sides below the lateral bands contrasting and
pale, no break in right mantle band above the
pneumostome, and tentacles that are faintly reddish
rather than dark blue-black. Dissection of the larger of
our two specimens, although immature, revealed two
elongated structures (not fully developed) oriented
perpendicular to the epiphallus duct, which is closer to
the anatomy of the verge in A. hortensis than A.
distinctus.

Arion intermedius (Normand, 1852) — (FW [SC
floodplain], GF). This introduced European slug was
found within the survey area at only two sites (one each
in the Piedmont and Coastal Plain), including under a
rotting log on a slope above Great Falls Swamp on 24
August 2010, and under logs along the bank of Swan
Creek on 17 July 2010.

Arion subfuscus (Draparnaud, 1805) — (DI, FW [SM],
GF, TR). This introduced European slug was the most
commonly observed slug within the survey area,
recorded at nearly every wooded site sampled,
generally under logs or loose bark.

PHILOMYCIDAE

Megapallifera mutabilis (Hubricht, 1951) — (GF, TR).
This uncommon slug was found only in the Piedmont
section of the survey area, typically in rotting logs.
It was observed between 21 April and 24 August
2010. Two entwined slugs were observed inside a
standing rotting tree in Great Falls Swamp on 24
August 2010.

Philomycus carolinianus (Bosc, 1802) — (GF, PP). An
uncommon but widespread slug within the survey area,
it was observed at only four sites between 21 April and
13 November 2010, and on 5 March 2011, under rotting

STEURY & PEARCE: LAND SNAILS 17

logs or loose bark of fallen trees. A population in
Johnson’s Gulley in Piscataway Park contained
melanistic individuals.

POLYGYRIDAE

Mesodon thyroidus (Say, 1816) — (DM, FF, FH, FW
[BE, BW, fw, SM, SC floodplain], GF, OC, PH, PP, RI,
TR). This snail possesses the second largest shell of any
species found within the survey area. It is a common
and widespread species found at nearly every site, but is
most common in calcareous woodlands such as shell
marl forest. This species was commonly observed
climbing the trunks of smooth barked trees such as
Asimina triloba (L.) Dunal and Carpinus caroliniana
Walter to a height of 2 m in mid-summer but was never
observed climbing in the spring. A live animal was
found under a log in Dyke Marsh on 9 September 2010.
On 17 July 2010, one snail had climbed a Lindera
benzoin to a height of 1 m and appeared to be feeding
on a bird dropping on the middle of a leaf. Nearly all
(98%) mature shells possessed a parietal denticle. The
largest shell measured 26 mm at its widest diameter.

Neohelix albolabris (Say, 1816) — (GF). This was a
very rare snail in the survey area, documented by only
three live juveniles and three adult shells found in a
forested ravine, under loose bark of a large fallen tree,
near the center of Great Falls Park. This is the largest
species in the survey area; the largest specimen
measured 28 mm at its widest diameter. We believe that
the snails from the N. albolabris group collected in the
Piedmont are N. albolabris rather than its Coastal Plain
congener N. solemi (Emberton, 1988). Orstan (1999)
confirmed N. albolabris from near this latitude in
Montgomery County, Maryland by dissection.
Juveniles of N. albolabris can be distinguished from
those of M. thyroidus by having a thinner shell at a
similar diameter and thinner lip over the umbilicus
without a smooth edge.

Stenotrema barbatum (Clapp, 1904) — (FW [BE, SM],
PH, TR). This was an uncommon snail found at only
four sites in leaf litter in deciduous woodland. This
species was reported for Prince Georges County by
Grimm (1971la) but the record was not included by
Hubricht (1985). Of ten mature shells found in shell
marl forest at Fort Washington Park, 40% lacked the
parietal denticle and instead possessed a shiny callous
thickening in the parietal area. Shell diameter (8.8 - 9.1
mm) and density of periostrical hairs (<4 per mm) on
these shells indicate they are more like S. barbatum (>
8 mm; 4 periostrical hairs per mm) than S. hirsutum (6 -
8 mm; 5 - 6 periostrical hairs per mm) (Grimm, 1971b;

Perez, 2011).

A juvenile shell of 2.3 whorls with appressed
pubescence found in moist leaf litter at the base of a
southeastern facing slope along Difficult Run in Great
Falls Park may be attributable to S. barbatum or
possibly S. hirsutum (Say, 1817). It differed from other
juvenile shells of S. barbatum of the same size by
having appressed pubescence rather than stiffly erect
hairs.

Triodopsis juxtidens (Pilsbry, 1894) — (FW [BM, BWh,
SM], GF, JP, LH, PH, PP, RI, TR). This is a
widespread, but never abundant, species of woodland
sites nearly always in or under moist rotting logs. Live
snails were found between 2 April and 24 August 2010.
Broken shells of this species and Anguispira alternata
found between stones in the walls of Battery White 1.5
m above the ground may have been placed there by
rodents.

Xolotrema denotatum (Férussac, 1821) — (PP [SM]).
This typically montane species was found at two sites
on the Coastal Plain in shell marl ravine forest in
Piscataway Park on 30 April 2011. Nine live juveniles
and one juvenile shell were found under loose bark of
fallen trees along Accokeek Creek, and one fresh,
mature shell and one live juvenile were found in
Johnson’s Gulley. Juveniles are easily distinguished
from other species with periostrical hairs that could
occur in the area such as Stenotrema or Euchemotrema
by their larger nuclear whorl and shell diameter. The
flora of these calcareous areas also contains a number
of species more typically associated with sites in
western Maryland and Virginia (Steury & Davis, 2003).
These are the southernmost Coastal Plain sites on the
East Coast.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

John Slapcinsky, Florida Museum of Natural
History, confirmed specimens of Euconulus fulvus and
E. polygyratus. Megan E. Paustian dissected our
specimen of Arion hortensis. New county or park
records were contributed by a number of field assistants
working on this study including Rita duMais, Nina
Wester, Erik Oberg, and Ian Steury. Christine Camp-
Price, Mireya Pasa, Glenn Curtiss, and Mary Jo
Detweiler diligently sorted snail specimens from
ground beetle pitfall traps and leaf litter collections.
Ken Hotopp and Ryan Evans, assisted by Jason Hisner,
Norman DeRosa, Lou Allard, Melanie Harsch, Brett
Freedman and Laura Cincotti, provided snail specimens
from Great Falls and Turkey Run parks collected in
2004 and 2005.

18 BANISTERIA

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NO. 43, 2014
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Banisteria, Number 43, pages 21-28
© 2014 Virginia Natural History Society

Comparisons of Ectomycorrhizal Fungi and Fine Roots of
Pinus virginiana Hosts from Two Soil Sources at the
Grassy Hill Natural Area Preserve, Franklin County, Virginia

Gregory D. Turner’

Department of Biology
West Chester University of Pennsylvania
West Chester, Pennsylvania 19383

Marianne Demk6

Virginia Western Community College
Roanoke, Virginia 24015

ABSTRACT

Roots of Virginia Pine (Pinus virginiana Mill.) trees from soils of Basic Oak-Hickory Forest (BOHF) and
Mountain/Piedmont Acidic Woodland (MPAW) ecological communities at the Grassy Hill Natural Area Preserve
(Franklin County, Virginia) differing in soil pH and moisture were compared for ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungal
properties and fine root length. ECM colonization, community composition, morphotype/species richness, and fine
root length were assessed from eight BOHF and nine MPAW trees. While soil cores from these trees represented a
relatively low sample size, colonization was found to not differ, but ECM fungal composition varied as richness and
the respective numbers of dominant and less abundant morphotypes differed from each soil source. Total richness
was greater, and mean richness per meter fine root was significantly greater in the more acidic xeric MPAW soil,
while fine root length was significantly greater in the less acidic sub-mesic BOHF soil. Our results are the first to
characterize ECM properties and fine root growth from P. virginiana trees growing in these two soil sources.

Key words: ectomycorrhizae, fine roots, Grassy Hill, pH, Pinus virginiana, soil moisture.

INTRODUCTION

Ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi are key components
of temperate forests, benefiting hosts by facilitating
their nutrient and water uptake, and increasing their
tolerance of stressful soil conditions (Smith & Read,
2008). Many trees in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains,
including Virginia Pine (Pinus virginiana Mill.),
Sourwood (Oxydendrum arboreum [L.] DC.), and
Chestnut Oak (Quercus prinus L.), grow in acidic and
xeric soils (Virginia Department of Conservation and
Recreation, 2012), partly due to ECM facilitation
(McQuilkin, 1990). This is not surprising, given
that both conventional morphotyping and more
contemporary DNA-based methods have found that
ECM fungi tolerate a range of soil conditions, including

Corresponding author: gturner@wcupa.edu

moisture levels and pH values (Slankis, 1974; Gehring
et al., 1998; Peter et al., 2001; Jany et al., 2003; Abler,
2004; Buée et al., 2005). To better understand the
influence of variable soils on ECM fungi and their
hosts, we compared ECM fungal and fine root
properties of P. virginiana trees growing in Basic Oak-
Hickory Forests (BOHF) and Mountain/Piedmont
Acidic Woodlands (MPAW) communities, whose soils
differ in moisture levels and pH.

MPAW communities are rare in the southeastern
U.S., but occur in Virginia mountains as_ barrens
characterized by shallow, highly xeric soils. In contrast,
BOHEF communities are more common across the state,
and have deeper, more mesic soils (Virginia
Department of Conservation and Recreation, 2012).
Both are coniferous or coniferous-deciduous, often
being dominated by Pinus and Quercus species that
associate with numerous ECM fungal taxa, many of

22 BANISTERIA

which tolerate acidic soils (Brundrett, 2003). In fact,
most ECM fungi grow well between pH values of 4.5
and 5.5 (which include the values of our soils), while
others do so under lower values (McAfee & Fortin,
1987; Lehto, 1994).

Ultimately, the success of temperate trees growing
in acidic soils depends on ECM fungi. Tree growth and
survival are positively correlated with ECM
colonization in acidic soils (Erland & Sdéderstrém,
1990), due to increased nutrient access. In addition,
ECM fungi increase host water access in xeric soils
(Gehring & Whitham, 1994). Although studies have
examined ECM communities in soils defined by a range
of moisture levels and pH values as single variables,
fewer have done so in soils with two variables, and
none to our knowledge has examined ECM
communities on P. virginiana hosts in BOHF and
MPAW communities. In this study, we examined in situ
ECM properties and root growth on P. virginiana trees
growing in these two community types at the Grassy
Hill Natural Area Preserve in Franklin County,
Virginia. We predicted that there would be differences
in ECM colonization, community composition, and
diversity between BOHF and MPAW soils based on
studies finding differences in these variables in
similarly contrasting soils (Gehring & Whitham, 1994;
Gehring et al., 1998). However, given the lack of
studies reporting differences in fine root length from
ECM hosts from similarly contrasting soil types, no
prediction was made regarding fine root length.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
Study Sites and Host Species

We conducted our study at the Grassy Hill Natural
Area Preserve, located at the northwest edge of Rocky
Mount, Virginia (36° 59' 60" N, 79° 53' 23" W). The
Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation’s
Division of Natural Heritage manages the Preserve to
conserve biodiversity and ecological communities. It
lies in the Piedmont physiographic province (Roberts &
Bailey, 2000) and southern oak/pine forest zone
(Yahner, 2000). It is composed primarily of Carya and
Quercus stands, interspersed with P. virginiana, that are
fairly undisturbed except for a few roads and power
lines (Turner & Demk6, 2007). The terrain is described
by magnesium-rich bedrock overlain with heavy clay
soils (Virginia Department of Conservation and
Recreation, 2013), with rocky slopes reaching 535 m
ASL (United States Geological Survey and Virginia
Division of Mineral Resources, 1985). Average
monthly precipitation ranges from 7.7 to 12.8 cm and
temperatures range from —3.4 to 30.2 C (National

NO. 43, 2014

Weather Service, 2011; values derived from data
collected at the Rocky Mount station from 1981 to

2010).
Basic Oak-Hickory Forests (BOHF) and
Mountain/Piedmont Acidic Woodlands (MPAW)

communities were compared because their soil moisture
levels and pH differ (Table 1; M. Leahy, unpubl. data).
Although tree composition was similar in each
community, there were differences: Quercus, Carya,
and Acer species were the dominant trees in the BOHF,
whereas Oxydendrum arboreum, Pinus, and Quercus
species were dominant in the MPAW communities.
Pinus virginiana served as our host species because it
associates with many ECM fungal taxa (e.g.,
Cenococcum, Russula, and Tomentella; Hepting, 1971;
Abler, 2004) and is found in both communities. The
species has shallow roots, grows well in xeric to sub-
mesic soils (Carter & Snow, 1990) and tolerates pH
values of 4.2 to 7.9 (Miller & Cumming, 2000) — values
in which ECM fungi enable its survival (Thiet &
Boerner, 2007). Thus ECM fungi were expected to
associate with this host in both soil sources.

Field Sampling

In May 2006, we identified P. virginiana trees in
each of three BOHF and MPAW plots designated
within sites previously surveyed for abiotic and
vegetative profiles (M. Leahy, unpubl. data). Only two
sites of each community were used because only two
BOHKE sites had a sufficient number of trees to sample.
Plots were located more than 500 m apart, and in each,
three P. virginiana trees with DBH >10 cm were
randomly selected, except in one BOHF site where only
two suitable host trees occurred. Trees were farther than
5 m from one another, given that ECM fungi less than 3
m apart may be from the same mycelium (Turner et al.,
2009). Root extractions were timed to coincide with
spring ECM flush (Walker et al., 2008). Blocks of 500
cm’ (i.e., soil blocks 5 x 10 x 10 cm deep) were cut and
extracted 1-3 m from each tree base (i.e., 2 plots x 3
trees x 3 blocks + 1 plot x 2 trees x 3 blocks = 24
BOHF blocks; 3 plots x 3 trees x 3 blocks = 27 MPAW

Table 1. Soil properties from Basic Oak-Hickory
Forest (BOHF) and Mountain/Piedmont Acidic
Woodland (MPAW) communities.

Ecological Community

BOHEF MPAW
Soil pH range 4.9-5.0 4.3-4.5
Mean % organic matter 4.2 4.3
Soil moisture regime Sub-mesic Xeric
Mean soil depth (cm) 7.8 6.6

TURNER & DEMKO: VIRGINIA PINE ROOTS 23

blocks) by use of a soil spade immersion-sterilized in a
9:1 mixture of bleach and water, followed by rinsing
before each extraction. Blocks were then wrapped in
new aluminum foil and taken to Ferrum College for
analysis.

Fungal Morphotyping,
Quantification, and Statistics

We exposed roots in each sample block by soaking
and gently rinsing them with tap water over sieves to
remove adhered pebbles, soil, and dead organic matter.
Any remaining pebbles or organic matter was then
removed from each sample manually, using tweezers
and root snips. We randomly selected a subsample of
all of the cleaned fine roots (i.e., any root <1 mm
in diameter), representing approximately 50% of all
fine roots per sample. Species were identified, and
morphotypes were described, using macroscopic
morphotyping methods (1.e., Ingleby et al., 1990) based
upon root tip branching pattern and shape, mantle color
and texture, and presence and abundance of hyphae and
rhizomorphs (Table 2, Fig. 1), using an Olympus SZ61
stereoscope. All but one type was not identifiable to
species using these procedures, and so were named
based on the order in which they were described and
on their predominant color. Colonization was expressed
as the total numbers’ of colonized _ tips
per meter fine root. Tips at least partially covered
by fungal tissue were considered colonized. We
characterized community composition by determining
the percent contribution of each morphotype/species.
Our assessments of ECM diversity relied upon
morphotype richness and evenness. Richness was
measured as the number of ECM types per meter fine
root length, while evenness was determined by
comparing the ranked proportional contributions of
each morphotype per soil source. We quantified fine
root length using Tennant’s (1975) root intercept
method for all fine roots.

Our study was intended to test for differences in
ECM and host properties between BOHF and MPAW
soils. However, our design was limited by a lack of
resources, thus we examined the cumulative effects of
BOHE and MPAW soil parameters on these properties.
In addition, given the variability in the number of fine
roots, the amount of dead organic matter, and the
number of viable ECM roots tips found in each root
sample block, blocks from each tree were consolidated
to yield a total of nine MPAW and eight BOHF samples
to analyze. After performing tests for normality (Le.,
histograms, skewness and kurtosis, and homogeneity of
variance), we analyzed colonization data with t-tests,
while richness and fine root length were analyzed with

Fig. 1. (a) Irregularly pinnate copper morphotype, (b) dichotomous
rust morphotype, and (c) irregularly coralloid white morphotype
intermingled with charcoal black Cenococcum geophilum.

24 BANISTERIA

NO. 43, 2014

Table 2. Descriptions and proportional percentage colonization of ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungal morphotypes in
relation to all root tips colonized by all types pooled in Basic Oak-Hickory Forests (BOHF) and Mountain/Piedmont

Acidic Woodlands (MPAW) soils.

ECM type Branching pattern; tip shape; mantle color and texture; presence and % Colonization
abundance of hyphae; presence of rhizomorphs. BOHF MPAW

Cenococcum geophilum Unbranched; straight; charcoal black, grainy; common; not 24.2 31.6
present

Elbr Unbranched; straight; brown, grainy; not present; not present 0.5

E2co Irregularly pinnate; slightly bent; copper, grainy; sparse; sparse 0.1

E3cr Monopodial pinnate; slightly bent; cream, grainy; not present; 0.1
not present

E4og Monopodial pyramidal; straight to slightly bent; olive green, L3

Tomentella-like grainy to smooth; rare; not present

ESrw Irregularly pinnate; slightly bent; reddish white, smooth; not 16.3
present; not present

E6oru Dichotomous; slightly bent; rust, smooth; not present; not present 1.5 5.7

E7si Irregularly pinnate; straight to slightly bent; silver, felty; common; 0.4 Be:

Boletus-like not present

E&8w Irregularly coralloid; straight; white, smooth; not present; not 61.8 31.3
present

E9y Irregular; bent; yellow tan, smooth; not present; not present 10.8 13.2

Mann-Whitney U tests (SPSS version 16.0, Chicago,
IL). Differences in the percentage of root tips colonized
by morphotypes between soil sources were analyzed
with G-tests. We used Mann-Whitney and G-tests
because the data for each violated the assumptions of
t-tests and Chi-squared tests, respectively. Differences
for all tests were considered significant if P < 0.05.

RESULTS

ECM colonization did not differ between P.
virginiana roots from the two communities (F = 1.101,
P =0.415). Mean colonized root tips per meter fine root
were 67.7 + 8.8 (SE) and 80.9 + 12.5 in BOHEF and
MPAW soils, respectively. Nine distinct morphotypes
and the ubiquitous Ascomycete Cenococcum geophilum
Fr. were described or identified in both soil sources
(Table 2). One and four types were exclusive to BOHF
and MPAW soils, respectively, whereas five occurred
in both soils. E8w and C. geophilum were abundant in
both soils, representing 62 and 24% of colonized tips,
respectively, in BOHF soils, and approximately 1/3
each in MPAW soils. E9y was relatively abundant in
BOHF soils, as were ES5rw and E9y in MPAW soils.
Collectively, E8w, C. geophilum, and E9y accounted

for ca. 97% of colonization in BOHF soils, while C.
geophilum, E8w, E5rw, and E9y accounted for ca. 92%
in MPAW soils. Two infrequent types, E6ru and E4og,
and the rare type E7si accounted for just over 3% of
colonization in BOHE soils, while two infrequent types,
E6oru and E7si, and rare types Elbr, E2co, and E3cr
accounted for 7.6% in MPAW soils. Overall, ECM
community composition differed between soil sources;
BOHF soils were dominated by one type and had less
diversity whereas MPAW soils had no dominant type
and higher diversity. Furthermore, while all but E8w
was more abundant in MPAW soils, G-tests found that
Eoru and E7si were significantly more abundant in
MPAW than BOHF soils. Cenococcum geophilum,
E8w, and E9y did not differ between soils.

Mean morphotype richness was __ significantly
different (U = 7.595, P = 0.007), being three times
greater per meter fine root in MPAW as compared to
BOHE soils (i.e., 0.57 + 0.13 versus 0.19 + 0.05), while
evenness was qualitatively similar in MPAW and
BOHF soils (.e., fewer dominant types and more
spread; Fig. 2). Similarly, host fine root length was
significantly different (U = 13.000, P = 0.027), being
more than twice as long in BOHF than MPAW soils
(28.8 + 4.55 vs. 10.7 + 1.6 cm).

TURNER & DEMKO: VIRGINIA PINE ROOTS 25

60 -

—@— BOHF

% Colonization

-@-MPAW

15 5

T Se T ST ge ---
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Morphotype Rank

Fig. 2. Rank abundance patterns for ECM morphotypes from Pinus
virginiana host trees growing in Basic Oak-Hickory Forests (BOHF)
and Mountain/Piedmont Acidic Woodlands (MPAW) soils.

DISCUSSION

ECM colonization did not differ between soil
sources, which is not surprising given that other
relevant studies report similar findings. For example,
Edwards & Kelly (1992) found no _ colonization
differences on Loblolly Pine (P. taeda L.) from soils
with pH values of 3.8 and 5.2, though they assessed
seedlings, rather than trees, exposed to ozone and
magnesium in open air chambers. A study of Pinyon
Pine (P. edulis Engelm.) from xeric and less xeric soils
in an Arizona forest found that there were no
differences in colonization (Gehring et al., 1998), and,
like our results, that only one or a few morphotypes
dominated ECM composition. However, it is important
to note that we had more limited sampling, our types
were based on conventional morphotyping, and that
most current analogous studies use DNA identification
methods (e.g., PCR analyses and sequencing), often
finding greater sample species richness and more
complex composition from various hosts and systems
(Dahlberg, 2001; Jany et al., 2003; Tedersoo et al.,
2003; Smith & Read, 2008).

Regardless, we found that composition varied, given
that total richness and the numbers of dominant and
rare types differed between soil sources. Differences in
colonization shown by individual types may reflect
responses to factors unique to each soil. For example,
three types (i.e., E6ru, E7si, and E9y) were more
abundant in MPAW soils (E6ru and E7si significantly
so), suggesting that these types may be more acid-
tolerant than others, as Erland & Sdderstr6m (1990) and
Lehto (1994) found for Pisolithus and Suillus species
associated with Abies and Picea hosts. We also found
that C. geophilum and E9w colonization were similar in
both soils, suggesting that these fungi tolerate a wide

range of pH values, as Rao et al. (1997) observed for P.
kesiya-associated C. geophilum in soils with variable
pH values. However, while colonization by some
morphotypes in our study may at least partly reflect
responses to pH, these same types, and others, may also
have responded to differences in soil moisture, as
Gehring et al. (1998) observed. E5rw and E8w, for
example, may have affinities for xeric and sub-mesic
soils, respectively. By contrast, C. geophilum, with
roughly equal abundances in both soil sources, likely
tolerates a greater range of moisture levels, as Worley
& Hacskaylo (1959) observed for it colonizing P.
virginiana seedlings grown in Maryland forest soils in
the greenhouse.

Richness differed significantly between soil sources,
with three times more ECM morphotypes per meter fine
root in MPAW than BOHF soils. Greater MPAW
richness may reflect the ability of more types to tolerate
lower pH and xeric soils, as Gehring & Whitham
(1994) found for P. edulis types, and some types that
may be acidophilic (e.g., Elbr and ESrw). Another
factor that may have influenced differences in richness
is fine root length, with which it has been positively
correlated on Picea and Quercus hosts (Korkama et al.,
2006; Turner et al., 2009). However, our results differ
from these patterns, because we found that fine root
length was significantly lower in the more morphotype-
rich MPAW soils. In addition, ECM fungi were less
evenly structured in BOHF than MPAW soils (Fig. 2)
as evidenced by the steeper slope representing the
BOHF community (1.e., 62% proportional colonization
by E8w), and the occurrence of fewer dominant and
more rare types in MPAW soils. Considering evenness
with richness, our results suggest that ECM
communities may be more diverse on P. virginiana
hosts from MPAW than BOHF soils.

Fine root length was significantly greater in BOHF
than MPAW soils. Organic matter and soil depth did
not differ greatly between soils (Table 1). Although
these factors can affect root growth (Gehring et al.,
1998; Hertel et al., 2003), it is unlikely they did so in
our study. Soil pH also affects root growth, though no
clear patterns have emerged from the literature. For
example, Lehto (1994) reports negative effects while
Brunner et al. (2002) found weak or no effects. In
contrast, soil moisture may have been influential
because it is known to be positively correlated with fine
root growth (Lopez et al., 1998; Wilcox et al., 2004;
Olesinski et al., 2011). Pinus virginiana may operate
similarly, growing longer fine roots in the moister
BOHF than the xeric MPAW soils.

In summary, ECM composition and richness on P.
virginiana hosts differed between BOHF and MPAW
soils at the Grassy Hill Natural Area Preserve.

26 BANISTERIA

Morphotype richness was greater in MPAW soils and,
like composition, may have been affected by
differences in the response of individual morphotypes
to moisture levels and pH. Greater P. virginiana fine
root length in BOHF soils likely reflects the host’s
ability to grow longer fine roots in moister soils. Our
findings corroborate some studies reporting differences
in ECM fungi in response to variable soil moisture
levels or pH, respectively. However, as stated earlier,
our explanations were based on cumulative plot-level
differences in key soil parameters and relied on small,
consolidated samples. Thus, more research, including
bioassays, outplantings, and local-scale soil parameter
manipulations would go far in helping us to better
understand how ECM fungi and fine roots respond to
differences in key soil parameters. In addition, future
studies might also consider that factors like soil
moisture and pH, root length, and _ vegetative
composition may be covariates for ECM colonization.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We thank Mike Leahy, former steward at the Grassy
Hill Natural Area Preserve, for his assistance and for
providing soil data for each site. We also thank Porter
Knight, Leanne Wade, and Mary Beth Webb as well as
Drs. Bob Pohlad and Carolyn Thomas (Division of
Natural Sciences, Ferrum College), for their field and
lab assistance. A 2007 West Chester University Faculty
Development Grant funded this project.

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Dragonflies and Damselflies of Albemarle County, Virginia (Odonata)

James M. Childress

4146 Blufton Mill Road
Free Union, Virginia 22940

ABSTRACT

The Odonata fauna of Albemarle County, Virginia has been poorly documented, with approximately 20 species
on record before this study. My observations from 2006 to 2014, along with historical and other recent records, now
bring the total species count for the county to 95. This total includes 64 species of dragonflies, which represents 46%
of the 138 species known to occur in Virginia, and 31 species of damselflies, which represents 55% of the 56 species
known to occur in Virginia. Also recorded here are the observed date ranges for adults of each species and some

observational notes.

Key words: Odonata, dragonfly, damselfly, Albemarle County, Virginia.

INTRODUCTION

For many counties in Virginia, there has been
little effort to systematically survey the insect order
Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies). As a resident of
Albemarle County, I felt that I was in a position to
make a sustained effort to remedy the virtual lack of
information for this county. Prior to my survey, only
about 20 species had been documented in this county
(Kennedy, 1977; Carle, 1982; Roble, 1994; Roble et al.,
1997; S. Roble, unpub. data). This annotated checklist
is meant to bring together both my own observations of
Odonata in Albemarle County, Virginia, and other
reliable records.

STUDY AREA

Albemarle County (Fig. 1) is centrally located in the
Commonwealth of Virginia, with Charlottesville being
its largest city. The county lies within the Piedmont
physiographic province, except for the northwestern
border, where the Blue Ridge Mountains, Pasture Fence
Mountain, and Bucks Elbow Mountain are in the Blue
Ridge physiographic province. The highest point in the
county is 990 m above sea level at the peak of Loft
Mountain in the northwest corner. From the foot of the
Blue Ridge eastward, the topography is typical of the
Piedmont, with the elevation of the plateau generally
between 150 and 200 m, trending lower toward the

CHILDRESS: ALBEMARLE COUNTY ODONATA 29

0 4 2 3 4 & 6 Miles
04123 4 6 6 7 8 & Kilometers
Office of Geographic Data Services

This Map is for Display Purposes Onty.

MAP CREATED: 047262013

Water Supply Watersheds
U7 South Fork Rivanna Reservoir
a, uP Beaver Creek Reservoir

“7 Sugar Hollow Reservoir

ey Ragged Mountain Reservoir
GF North Fork Rivanna Intake
Totier Creek Reservoir
Non-Water Supply Watersheds
GC tlight grey)

Roads $B) interstate Highway
++ Ralroads

US Highway
————— Streams ce) efi

wemeemeee County Boundary
ieee
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&3 VA Primary Highway
[729] VA Secondary Highway

yey | Incorporated Town or
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Fig. 1. Map of Albemarle County, Virginia showing primary sampling sites during this
study: 1. Lowell pond; 2. Childress/Payne pond; 3. Chapel Springs Farm pond; 4. Ivy
Creek Natural Area; 5. James River at Warren; 6. Moormans River; 7. Mechums River.

James River and the Fluvanna County line, where the
elevation is about 75 m. There are several groups of
outlying mountains, including Fox Mountain in the
northwest and the Ragged Mountains south of
Charlottesville, with elevations ranging from 365 to
over 730 m. Southwestern Mountain lies just east of
Charlottesville and runs from the northeast of the
county toward the southwest, with the highest point
being over 550 m. The county is a mix of urban and
suburban development, farmland, and primary and
secondary growth forests.

Albemarle County is drained primarily by the James
River and three of its tributaries (Rockfish, Hardware,
and Rivanna rivers) and the numerous smaller streams
that feed them. The headwaters of the South Anna

River (York River drainage) extend into this county
over a mile near Barboursville. All of the tributaries of
the James River flow in entrenched, meandering
channels, which cross the structural trend of this area.
Their drainage pattern has, in places, a well-defined
trellis pattern, and in other places a poorly defined
pattern of the same type (Nelson, 1962).

Albemarle County has no natural lakes, but there
are many man-made impoundments, including the
South Rivanna Reservoir, Sugar Hollow Reservoir,
Beaver Dam Creek Reservoir, Totier Creek Reservoir,
and Ragged Mountain Reservoir. There are also
numerous private ponds, some with flooded forests and
beaver activity, some full of cattails (Typha spp.), some
surrounded by alders (Alnus spp.), and others standing

30 BANISTERIA

in pastures, their banks trampled by cattle.

Although I have surveyed many private ponds in
Albemarle County, I have paid special attention to three
of them (see Fig. 1) with somewhat different
characteristics. The Chapel Springs Farm pond
(38.15714° N, 78.61095° W) is fed by a branch of
Rocky Creek. Where the creek enters the pond, there is
a Shallow swampy area with alders, grasses, rushes, and
a few cattails. The pond itself has many water lilies
(Nymphaea spp.). Along Blufton Mill Road, the Lowell
pond (38.13886° N, 78.62161° W) is a small, somewhat
overgrown pond that has many cattails in the shallows
and is quite weedy around. The Childress/Payne pond
(38.14942° N, 78.62161° W) was built in 2007, had no
fish in the first season, and is less grown up than the
others.

The Mechums and Moormans are small rivers that
drain the western part of the county. The Moormans is
somewhat rockier and the Mechums carries more
sediment. These two join near Free Union to form the
South Fork of the Rivanna River. These rivers, along
with the much larger James River on the county’s
southern border, have received most of my focus for
riverine habitat.

METHODS

With a few exceptions, my species records are
based on identification of specimens that I have
collected with a standard insect net (adults) or a
D-shaped collecting net (larvae) and that have been
verified by Steve Roble of the Virginia Natural
Heritage Program. Adults have been preserved with
acetone and larvae preserved in a 70% ethyl alcohol
solution. I have attempted to collect adult specimens of
every species, but there are several species for which I
have only obtained larvae and/or exuviae. In one case
(Libellula axilena), my only record is a photograph.
I have also included historical and personal records for
Albemarle County provided by Steve Roble.

In a few cases, I have raised larvae to adulthood in
order to have more definitive identifications. Individual
larvae were kept in screen enclosures set in two to three
inches of water in a plastic tub with aeration. The larvae
were able to crawl up the screen and out of the water
when ready to emerge.

RESULTS

My observations from 2006 to 2013, along with
historical and other recent records, bring the total
Odonata species count for Albemarle County to 95.
This total includes 64 species of dragonflies, which
represents 46% of the 138 species known to occur

NO. 43, 2014

in Virginia, and 31 species of damselflies, which
represents 55% of the 56 species known to occur in
Virginia (S. Roble, unpub. data). The following
annotated checklist is arranged alphabetically within
families. Each species is listed with observation notes
followed by the first and last observed flight dates for
the county in parentheses and the nature of specimens
collected: A (adult), L (larva), E (exuvia). Unless
otherwise noted, specimens are in my _ personal
collection.

ANISOPTERA (Dragonflies)
Petaluridae (Petaltails)
Tachopteryx thoreyi (Gray Petaltail)

I have seen this species along the wooded stream
bottom of Rocky Creek on Chapel Springs Farm,
hanging vertically on tree trunks, and on the gray wood
siding of our house. Every day from 11-23 July 2004,
I observed an adult hunting from the gray gravel of our
driveway. I watched one on a tree branch eating a
Lancet Clubtail (Gomphus exilis). The species is not
common in the county, and I typically only see a few
individuals each year, with my highest one-day count
being five. (May 16 to July 23; A)

Aeshnidae (Darners)
Aeshna umbrosa (Shadow Darner)

Male Shadow Darners patrol shady, heavily
vegetated, sluggish streams in the fall, and I have
consistently seen them at the Lowell pond outlet stream
and other slow shady streams, where females deposit
eggs. I have also observed Shadow Darners flying
abroad in open fields, and I saw a hunting swarm of
several dozen on 5 September 2012. (September 5 to
November 21; A)

Aeshna verticalis (Green-striped Darner)

I am only aware of one other Virginia record of this
more northern species, and that was from Highland
County (Roble et al., 2009). I captured an adult male on
21 October 2006 in tall grass near the Lowell pond.
There is no evidence that this species breeds in the area;
this individual was likely migrating or wandering late
in the season. (October 21; A)

Anax junius (Common Green Darner)

This species is common at local ponds where the

CHILDRESS: ALBEMARLE COUNTY ODONATA 31

males can be seen assertively patrolling the edges.
Presumably due to its migratory habits, adults can be
seen in late March before other species have emerged.
From mid-September to early October it is common
to see large numbers hawking insects. These are
sometimes intermixed with Black Saddlebags (Tramea
lacerata). In 2007, I observed a newly built pond,
which was just filling up in mid-May. By July 14th
there were exuviae on plant stems at the water’s edge,
indicating that individuals had completed their life
cycle from egg to adult within two months. (March 17
to October 15; A, E)

Anax longipes (Comet Darner)

Comet Darners are somewhat uncommon but I have
seen them patrolling several farm ponds in summer and
have collected one larva. Males are aggressive and fly
rapidly both along the shore and out over the open
water. (May 16 to August 28; A, L)

Basiaeschna janata (Springtime Darner)

Springtime Darners patrol the edges of streams that
range from a meter across to as large as the James
River. I have sometimes seen them flying along the
shores of farm ponds or flying along woodland paths
away from water. I have also captured the larvae in
streams both small and large and found an exuvia at the
Childress/Payne Pond. (March 31 to June 7; A, L, E)

Boyeria vinosa (Fawn Darner)

This species is quite common in the late summer
and fall on the Moormans and Mechums rivers where
they fly close to the shady banks among the roots and
snags, especially late in the day. I have also caught
females out in the middle of streams over riffles. The
larvae can be reliably found in the mud under river
banks. Between 9 and 16 July 2009, I discovered three
individuals trapped in netting that had been placed over
blueberry bushes. These were far from any stream of
the type in which they breed. (June 7 to October 10;
A, L)

Epiaeschna heros (Swamp Darner)

I have seen Swamp Darners at Chapel Springs Farm
pond, in woodland clearings, and in my own yard, but
they were most commonly observed hawking over
fields at Warren near the James River. Here the adults
make rapid forays over the fields, often 2-7 m above the
ground, with occasional rest periods in trees at the
fields’ edges. (May 21 to June 24; A, E)

Gomphaeschna antilope (Taper-tailed Darner)

Carle (1982) listed a male specimen in_ the
collection of Virginia Commonwealth University that
was collected by M. Zimmerman on 13 June 1975 in
Charlottesville. I have not found this species or the
closely related Harlequin Darner (G. furcillata) in
Albemarle County. (June 13)

Nasiaeschna pentacantha (Cyrano Darner)

In Albemarle County, I have only seen this species
at the Ivy Creek Natural Area, where the stream along
the Red Trail meets the South Rivanna Reservoir.
Males patrol back and forth above the sluggish shady
stream, covering and recovering a 30 or 40 foot section
of the creek. (July 7 to July 18; A)

Gomphidae (Clubtails)
Arigomphus villosipes (Unicorn Clubtail)

At Chapel Springs Farm Pond and a _ heavily
vegetated temporary pond in a field at Warren, I have
seen Unicorn Clubtails in late May and early June
perching on lily pads or other vegetation growing in the
water. I caught a fairly mature larva in the Chapel
Springs Farm pond on 20 September 2008. (May 24 to
July 4; A, L)

Dromogomphus spinosus (Black-shouldered Spinyleg)

Black-shouldered Spinylegs can be seen near
streams and rivers of all sizes: tiny woodland streams,
the Mechums, Moormans, and Rivanna Rivers, and the
James River at Warren. They perch on the ground along
the shores and also on plants and bushes. This is a
common dragonfly and can be seen over a longer
season than many of the other clubtails. (May 23 to
September 9; A, L, E)

Erpetogomphus designatus (Eastern Ringtail)

This species is abundant in the summer on the
James River, and can be seen in great numbers flying
out over the water. Adults can also be found in forests
and fields near the river. They are present on the
Rivanna River and at the Ivy Creek Natural Area on the
South Fork Reservoir. I have seen them upstream on the
Moormans River nearly to the Free Union Road, but
they are much less common on the smaller rivers than
on the James. Larvae are relatively easily caught in silty
places in the James River. (May 16 to September 9;
A. L)

32 BANISTERIA

Gomphus abbreviatus (Spine-crowned Clubtail)

Spine-crowned Clubtails emerge from the James
River at Warren in great numbers in mid- to late April,
leaving exuviae on the banks and on roots and branches
sticking out of the water. For a few weeks the adults
can be seen in the grasses and bushes back from the
water. I have seen them up the smaller rivers as far as
the Millington Bridge on the Moormans River. (March
31 to June 4; A, L, E)

Gomphus dilatatus (Blackwater Clubtail)

This species is present in the James River at Warren
where I collected a fairly mature larva on 7 October
2010 and have since collected adults in the spring and
summer. Until recently, the range of this species was
not considered to extend this far north (Roble, 2014).
(June 7 to July 12; A, L)

Gomphus exilis (Lancet Clubtail)

Sitting on or near the ground, Lancet Clubtails are
common near ponds and sluggish streams during their
flight season. This is a widespread species in Albemarle
County. (April 21 to July 8; A, L)

Gomphus lividus (Ashy Clubtail)

From mid-April through May, Ashy Clubtails are
common both in vegetation near farm ponds and slow

Fig. 2. Adult female Rapids Clubtail (Gomphus quadricolor)
from the Moormans River, Albemarle, County, Virginia.

NO. 43, 2014

streams, and sometimes far from water in grassy fields
and yards. I observed one eating a small grasshopper in
my yard. I have collected larvae in both ponds and slow
streams. (March 31 to June 20; A, L, E)

Gomphus quadricolor (Rapids Clubtail)

I first found a Rapids Clubtail (Fig 2) in 2007 near
the confluence of the Moormans and Mechums rivers. I
have since found larvae in both of those rivers. On 24
May 2009, I observed a substantial emergence of adults
along the Moormans River about halfway between
Millington and White Hall. Dozens of tenerals were
clinging to vegetation near the river and fluttering in the
grass of a nearby field. Over the following several
weeks I continued to find adults at that location and
several miles downstream, generally in fields and low
shrubs a short distance from the water. (May 24 to June
20; A, L)

Gomphus rogersi (Sable Clubtail)

I have collected larvae in the inlet stream to the
Chapel Springs Farm pond (7 March 2009 and 27
March 2010) and an adult (25 May 2009) from a
heavily shaded small stream that feeds into the
Moormans River about halfway between Millington
and White Hall. (May 25; A, L)

Gomphus vastus (Cobra Clubtail)

In early May, Cobra Clubtails emerge from the
James River in very large numbers. They are very
common at Warren, where they can be found in tall
grasses and low in the trees. I have caught many larvae
in the river there. (April 20 to July 13; A, L, E)

Gomphus viridifrons (Green-faced Clubtail)

In Virginia, this species is mostly known from the
southwestern part of the state (Carle, 1982; Roble et al.,
1997). I have collected both larvae and adults at the
James River at Warren. There are also records east of
Albemarle County along the James River as far
downstream as the City of Richmond (S. Roble, unpub.
data), so the James supports a population of this species
east of the Blue Ridge Mountains. (May 3 to May 11;
A, L)

Hagenius brevistylus (Dragonhunter)
I have seen Dragonhunters flying over the water and

perching on rocks or on branches in streams and rivers
ranging from the James, Rivanna, Moormans, and

CHILDRESS: ALBEMARLE COUNTY ODONATA 33

Mechums rivers, to the small inlet stream at the Chapel
Springs Farm Pond. I generally see them singly, but
they are widespread on rivers and streams. I watched
one laying eggs on the pavement on East Jefferson
Street in Charlottesville, presumably because the dark
color of the street resembles a stream. The large
flattened larvae are relatively easily found in half-rotted
sticks and leaves at the bottom of streams as well as
under rocks in swifter water. (May 28 to October 17;
A, L, E)

Ophiogomphus incurvatus (Appalachian Snaketail)

My only record is a larva collected from the wooded
inlet stream at Chapel Springs Farm pond on 14
February 2009. (L)

Ophiogomphus susbecha (St. Croix Snaketail)

A very small number of mature adults of this
species have been captured in Virginia (S. Roble, pers.
comm.), but exuviae are relatively easily found along
the James River in April. In Albemarle County, I
collected many fresh exuviae on the banks of the James
River at Warren from March 31 to April 16. Steve
Roble (pers. comm.) has also collected exuviae of this
species along the James River at Warren as well as at
Hattons Ferry and Scottsville. (E)

Progomphus obscurus (Common Sanddragon)

On sandy banks and sandbars in streams, from small
woodland streams to the James River at Warren, this is
a common species. On 25 May 2008, I found a number
of exuviae on a sandy bank in the Moormans River and
found one teneral that was just emerging. This is the
earliest date on which I have observed them in the
county. (May 25 to July 30; A, L, E)

Stylogomphus albistylus (Least Clubtail)

I have found adults and larvae along the Moormans
River from its confluence with the Mechums River
upstream to the dam at Sugar Hollow Reservoir, as well
as on Jones Run. I have collected larvae from the James
River at Warren. (June 1 to July 15; A, L)

Stylurus laurae (Laura’s Clubtail)

On both 3 May 2011 and 11 May 2012, I collected
one larva in the James River at Warren, about 50 m
upstream from Ballinger Creek. The latter specimen
emerged on 14 June. I captured a teneral female at the
same location on 20 June 2013. (June 20; A, L)

Stylurus plagiatus (Russet-tipped Clubtail)

On 25 June 2008, Steve Roble (pers. comm.)
observed one male on the North Fork of the Rivanna
River, east of U.S. Route 29. (June 25)

Stylurus spiniceps (Arrow Clubtail)

I have not observed adults, but have collected many
larvae from the James River at Warren. Roble et al.
(1997) found this species along the Mechums River
near Owensville on 18 October 1993. On 19 October
2006, Steve Roble (pers. comm.) observed several
Stylurus males along the Rivanna River near Shadwell
that were probably S. spiniceps. (October 18; L)

Cordulegastridae (Spiketails)
Cordulegaster bilineata (Brown Spiketail)

I have captured this species in a shallow, weedy part
of the inlet stream to the Chapel Springs Farm pond and
in the marshy area at the outlet of the Lowell pond. At
the Chapel Springs inlet stream, the male perched
repeatedly on one of several plants from which it made
short flights. (April 21 to June 3; A)

Cordulegaster erronea (Tiger Spiketail)

While crossing a small, sandy bottomed woodland
stream (<1 m wide) that leads eventually into Chapel
Springs Farm pond, I captured a Tiger Spiketail that
was flying rapidly along the stream. Since that time I
have caught larvae in that stream and in similar streams
in the immediate vicinity. (July 23; A, L)

Cordulegaster maculata (Twin-spotted Spiketail)

This is the common Spiketail in Albemarle County.
I have found them along the edges of woodlands, on
bushes in my yard, on woodland paths, and in a
swampy area below the Lowell pond (newly emerged
on a cattail stalk). The larvae are fairly easily found in
small sandy-bottomed woodland streams, in the smaller
ones sometimes in conjunction with C. erronea. (April
7 to May 29; A, L, E)

Macromiidae (Cruisers)
Didymops transversa (Stream Cruiser)
This common early spring species cruises back and

forth along the banks of small streams (Chapel Springs
Farm pond inlet stream) and large rivers (James River

34 BANISTERIA

at Warren). It shares both habitat and season with the
Springtime Darner. I observed a teneral emerging on a
stalk of grass on the edge of the Childress/Payne pond.
(April 7 to June 4; A, L, E)

Macromia illinoiensis (Swift River Cruiser)

I have seen adults of this species on medium
(Moormans and Mechums) and large rivers (James)
where they cruise rapidly up and down the river. In
between these patrols, they appear to perch high in the
trees. I have also found the larvae in smaller streams,
including the inlet to Chapel Springs Farm pond. I have
occasionally seen adults cruising along roadways as
though those roadways were streams and have seen
them far from water patrolling grassy areas. I have
occasionally seen one along the shores of a farm pond.
(May 24 to September 9; A, L)

Corduliidae (Emeralds)
Epitheca cynosura (Common Baskettail)

Common Baskettails are abundant at farm ponds
and creeks in the spring, where males defend territories
along the banks. They are also common in yards and
gardens away from water. (March 24 to June 20; A, L,
E)

Epitheca princeps (Prince Baskettail)

Most farm ponds seem to have one male patrolling
out over the water, often far from the shore. They are
fairly common on the Moormans, Mechums, and
Rivanna Rivers, and quite common on the James River.
Larvae are easily netted in silty deposits in the James
River. (April 30 to August 28; A, L, E)

Helocordulia selysii (Sely’s Sundragon)

I captured an adult female along Preddy Creek at
Gilbert. It was perched on a twig close to the ground in
the Box Elder (Acer negundo) lowland woods. (April
27; A)

Helocordulia uhleri (Uhler’s Sundragon)

I have seen a few individuals of this species most
years at the inlet stream leading to Chapel Springs Farm
Pond. The stream is wooded and fairly shady at that
point. Males patrol rapidly and erratically. I have also
captured an adult along a sunny driveway far from
water. Not easily captured, this dragonfly is both wary
and quick. (April 15 to May 14; A)

NO. 43, 2014

Neurocordulia virginiensis (Cinnamon Shadowdragon)

Although I expected to find several species of this
genus, after spending considerable time and effort in
late May and early June in the James River at Warren,
all of the larvae, exuviae, and adults that I have
collected are N. virginiensis. The adults fly out over the
river from about 1830 h until dark, with the greatest
activity about 45 minutes before dark. (May 24 to June
14; A, L, E)

Libellulidae (Skimmers)
Celithemis elisa (Calico Pennant)

This abundant species can be seen in farm ponds
and grassy fields throughout the county. (May 2 to
September 23; A, L, E)

Celithemis eponina (Halloween Pennant)

Halloween Pennants are commonly seen at farm
ponds and nearby fields in late summer and early fall. I
have also seen them on the South Rivanna Reservoir
and James River. Pairs fly in tandem low over the water
as the female lays eggs. I have observed a Largemouth
Bass (Micropterus salmoides) capture a pair as they
touched the water. (July 7 to October 10; A)

Celithemis fasciata (Banded Pennant)

This species (Fig, 3) is less common than C. elisa,
but still fairly easily found at farm ponds. (May 14 to
October 6; A)

Celithemis verna (Double-ringed Pennant)

This pennant is somewhat uncommon in Albemarle
County, but can be found at ponds, usually sitting

Fig. 3. Adult male Banded Pennant (Celithemis fasciata) from
the Childress/Payne pond, Albemarle, County, Virginia.

CHILDRESS: ALBEMARLE COUNTY ODONATA 35

on the rushes farthest from the shore. Their flight is
much quicker than the other Celithemis species, and
they tend to dart quickly from their perches to grab prey
and then return. I have seen them at the Childress/Payne
pond, Lowell pond, and Chapel Springs Farm pond, but
never in large numbers. (June 5 to July 15; A)

Dythemis velox (Swift Setwing)

My only record of this species in Albemarle County
is an adult captured on 7 July 2007 at the Ivy Creek
Natural Area. It was perching on a dead alder branch
out over the reservoir and returned repeatedly to that
same spot between forays. This is a southern species
with only a handful of records in the state (Bedell &
Chazal, 1999; S. Roble, pers. comm.). (July 7; A)

Erythemis simplicicollis (Eastern Pondhawk)

This common dragonfly is routinely found at ponds
and still water where it perches in vegetation near and
in the water. It is an aggressive predator, and I have
observed one eating an Eastern Amberwing (Perithemis
tenera). (April 21 to October 6; A, L)

Erythrodiplax minuscula (Little Blue Dragonlet)

I have seen this species only twice in the county,
both times at the Childress/Payne pond, perched in
low vegetation near the water. (July 20 to September
15; A)

Ladona deplanata (Blue Corporal)

In the early spring, this is an abundant species near
ponds and lakes, where it tends to sit on or near the
ground, with wings often held slightly downward. The
larvae are easily found around pond edges. (April 7 to
June 20; A, L, E)

Libellula auripennis (Golden-winged Skimmer)

My only location for this species in the county is the
Childress/Payne pond, where it has been regularly seen
for several years in fairly small numbers. (June 5 to
June 30; A)

Libellula axilena (Bar-winged Skimmer)

On 18 June 2006, I observed a Bar-winged
Skimmer return many times to the branches of a dead
tree lying in the water at the Chapel Springs pond inlet
stream. It was noticeably wary and I was unable to
capture it. (June 18; photograph)

Libellula cyanea (Spangled Skimmer)

This beautiful skimmer is common in marshy areas
and around ponds. It is particularly common at Chapel
Springs Farm pond, which has a large marshy area
at the upper end of the pond. Pam Hunt (pers.
comm.) found a teneral female in Charlottesville on
the rather early date of 23 April 2007. (April 23 to
August 15; A)

Libellula incesta (Slaty Skimmer)

This skimmer is widespread and abundant at farm
ponds, reservoirs and lakes, and the vegetation around
the shores is crowded with them. The larvae are easily
captured in the shallow waters. (May 31 to October 6;
A, L)

Libellula luctuosa (Widow Skimmer)

This familiar dragonfly of summer is very common
near ponds and lakes throughout the county. Females
are common in fields away from the water. (May 24 to
October 14; A, L)

Libellula pulchella (Twelve-spotted Skimmer)

Twelve-spotted Skimmers are present in the county
from early May to late September at a variety of farm
ponds, but I only see them occasionally, and then
generally only one or two at a time. (May 2 to
September 29; A, L)

Libellula semifasciata (Painted Skimmer)

I have only seen this very distinctive species twice
in Albemarle County, and was able to collect an adult at
the Childress/Payne pond as it perched in the reeds at
the pond’s edge. (May 9 to May 25; A)

Libellula vibrans (Great Blue Skimmer)

I have occasionally seen this species near the
Chapel Springs Farm pond and more often near the
James River at Warren. Based on my observations, it is
somewhat uncommon in Albemarle County. (June 3 to
August 16; A)

Pachydiplax longipennis (Blue Dasher)

In the vegetation at the edge of ponds, lakes, and
slow streams, this species is abundant and widespread
in the county. Males aggressively confront intruders.
(May 15 to October 14; A, L)

36 BANISTERIA

Pantala flavescens (Wandering Glider)

I have seen this wide-ranging dragonfly in
hayfields, parking lots, and over athletic fields and
roads. They breed in the Childress/Payne farm pond,
and I have found the exuviae on plants at the pond’s
edge and tenerals flying weakly in the grass near the
pond. (June 21 to October 7; A, E)

Pantala hymenaea (Spot-winged Glider)

My observations indicate that this species is less
common than P. flavescens in Albemarle County, but it
also breeds in the Childress/Payne farm pond. (July 18
to August 7; A)

Perithemis tenera (Eastern Amberwing)

Perching on low vegetation in the water and flying
forays just above the surface of the water, the Eastern
Amberwing can reliably be found on ponds and lakes
throughout the county. I have also seen them
congregating in shrubs near the education center at the
Ivy Creek Natural Area, hundreds of meters from the
water. I observed one being eaten by an Eastern
Pondhawk (Erythemis simplicollis). (June 4 _ to
September 16; A)

Plathemis lydia (Common Whitetail)

Due to its abundance, extremely broad distribution,
and habit of perching on or near the ground, this is the
dragonfly most often seen by the layperson. I have
observed them perching in yards, woods, and all around
ponds and lakes. (April 14 to September 16; A, L)

Sympetrum ambiguum (Blue-faced Meadowhawk)

Carle (1982) listed two male specimens in the
collection of Virginia Tech that were captured by Mary
E. Davis on | September 1937 in Charlottesville. I have
not encountered this species in the county.

Sympetrum vicinum (Yellow-legged Meadowhawk)

In 2011, I began seeing adults at the Childress/
Payne pond on June 26, with all of them appearing to
be females. They were not present in large numbers but
could consistently be found throughout the rest of the
summer. As other common species die out in the fall,
this becomes the most common dragonfly on farm
ponds around the county, persisting quite late in the
season. During a mild fall, I found a live adult on 23
December 2006 at Chapel Springs Farm pond. (June 25

NO. 43, 2014

to December 23; A)
Tramea carolina (Carolina Saddlebags)

Although not seen in large numbers, this species is
fairly widespread on ponds and lakes where it flies a
few feet above the water and along the shores. (April 26
to August 28; A, L)

Tramea lacerata (Black Saddlebags)

This is the more common of the two Tramea species
found in Albemarle County, being reliably seen at
ponds and lakes. It also congregates with Common
Green Darners (Anax junius) in September in what
appear to be migrating groups, hawking over open
fields. (May 11 to October 15; A)

ZY GOPTERA (Damselflies)
Calopterygidae (Broad-winged Damsels)
Calopteryx angustipennis (Appalachian Jewelwing)

Ballinger Creek flows into the James River at
Warren, and I have observed Appalachian Jewelwings
along that shady, sandy, slow-flowing stream. I have
also found them along the banks of the James near
Ballinger Creek. (April 27 to June 7; A)

Calopteryx dimidiata (Sparkling Jewelwing)

My only Albemarle County record of this species is
an adult captured on 6 June 2010 at Warren sitting on a
branch overhanging the James River at dusk. Steve
Roble (pers. comm.) found this species on 25 June 2008
along the North Fork of the Rivanna River just east of
U.S. Route 29. (June 6 to June 25; A)

Calopteryx maculata (Ebony Jewelwing)

This is our most common Jewelwing and is found
along the banks of shady woodland streams throughout
the county. These streams include the smallest forest
trickles as well as the James River. (April 27 to August
23; A, L)

Hetaerina americana (American Rubyspot)

The American Rubyspot is found along the
Moormans, Mechums, and Rivanna rivers, but is
particularly abundant on the James River. Groups of
them congregate around plants growing in sandy

CHILDRESS: ALBEMARLE COUNTY ODONATA 37

shallow places in the water. (May 11 to October 7;
A, L)

Hetaerina titia (Smoky Rubyspot)

This species is found in the same locations and
habitat as H. americana, although it is much less
common than that species. I associate it more with
willows and other tree branches overhanging the water
than with plants growing in the water. (June 12 to
October 7; A)

Lestidae (Spread-winged Damsels)
Archilestes grandis (Great Spreadwing)

Kennedy (1977) reported that the first Virginia
specimen of this primarily western species was
collected in Charlottesville in October 1947. I have
seen this damselfly at the Lowell Pond outlet stream,
which is a typical spreadwing habitat. I have also
captured it flying purposefully along Blufton Miull
Road, far from any water. Those are my only two
records of this species in the county. (September 30 to
October 19; A)

Lestes australis (Southern Spreadwing)

I have found adults in a shallow overgrown
temporary pond at Warren, several hundred meters
from the James River. They generally perched on
vegetation growing out of the water. (April 19 to May
24; A)

Lestes eurinus (Amber-winged Spreadwing)

The year that the Childress/Payne pond was
constructed, Amber-winged Spreadwings were
abundant there. Fish were introduced the next season
and few of these damselflies were present. As the fish
multiplied in subsequent years, this species is now only
occasionally seen there. Amber-winged Spreadwings
are aggressive predators of smaller damselflies, and I
have observed them eating Orange Bluets (Enallagma
signatum) and Fragile Forktails (Uschnura_ posita).
(June 8 to July 14; A)

Lestes rectangularis (Slender Spreadwing)

My records for this species are from the Ivy Creek
Natural Area, in a small marshy area just off the
Red Trail, from the Childress/Payne pond, and also
from the James River at Warren. (June 4 to August 25;
A)

Lestes vigilax (Swamp Spreadwing)

In Albemarle County, this is the most common
Spreadwing. It can be commonly found in dense
vegetation at the edges of farm ponds, and I have seen
many of them in the wet woods at Gilbert Crossing.
They are most common in the late summer, but adults
can be seen in May. (May 17 to October 10; A)

Coenagrionidae (Narrow-winged Damsels)
Amphiagrion saucium (Eastern Red Damsel)

Reported by Roble (1994) from Albemarle County
on the basis of a specimen collected by Richard
Hoffman in May 1948 in Charlottesville (S. Roble,
pers. comm.). I have not encountered this species in the
county.

Argia apicalis (Blue-fronted Dancer)

This species is found along the banks of the
Moormans, Mechums, Rivanna, and James rivers. I
have seen females in forests above the South Rivanna
Reservoir at the Ivy Creek Natural Area. (May 16 to
July 28; A)

Argia fumipennis violacea (Violet Dancer)

From May to October this is a common and
widespread species, typically found in vegetation
around ponds and slow-moving streams. (May 15 to
October 3; A)

Argia moesta (Powdered Dancer)

Sitting on rocks in streams and rivers of all sizes,
Powdered Dancers are quite common around flowing
water. I have occasionally seen them at farm ponds,
including the Lowell pond and the Childress/Payne
pond. (May 16 to September 23; A, L)

Argia sedula (Blue-ringed Dancer)

In overhanging plants along the Moormans,
Mechums, Rivanna, and James rivers, this damselfly is
widespread. (June 7 to September 22; A)

Argia tibialis (Blue-tipped Dancer)

I have seen Blue-tipped Dancers on both the
Moormans and James rivers. They are not as common
in the county as some of the other Argia species. (June
7 to July 14; A)

38 BANISTERIA

Argia translata (Dusky Dancer)

This is another river species found on_ the
Moormans, Mechums, and Rivanna rivers, typically in
vegetation in or near the water. (May 25 to August 26;
A)

Enallagma aspersum (Azure Bluet)

I have seen Azure Bluets at both the Lowell
pond and the Childress/Payne pond, but they
were particularly abundant at the latter pond before fish
were first introduced. They appeared in _ large
numbers shortly after that pond was built, but as
the fish have become established, their numbers
have become much reduced. (April 21 to September 23;
A)

Enallagma basidens (Double-striped Bluet)

From early May until October, this bluet is widely
found at farm ponds, including Chapel Springs Farm
pond, Childress/Payne pond, and the Lowell pond.
(May 2 to October 14; A)

Enallagma civile (Familiar Bluet)

From late May through the summer I see Familiar
Bluets around the edges of farm ponds. Their numbers
seem greater by September and this is the latest
damselfly that I have observed in the fall. (May 24 to
November 21; A)

Enallagma daeckii (Attenuated Bluet)

I have collected this species at the Lowell pond and
seen it there one other time. This is the most inland
record known in Virginia (Lam, 2004; S. Roble, pers.
comm.). (June 5 to July 15; A)

Enallagma divagans (Turquoise Bluet)

In May and June I see this species around
farm ponds and in the slow-moving inlet stream at
the top of Chapel Springs Farm pond. (May 6 to June
10; A)

Enallagma exsulans (Stream Bluet)
As well as on the Moormans, Mechums, and James

rivers, | have seen this common bluet on farm ponds.
(May 24 to September 3; A)

NO. 43, 2014

Enallagma geminatum (Skimming Bluet)

This is a common farm pond bluet, typically found
close to the water, on or near emergent vegetation.
(May 2 to September 17; A)

Enallagma signatum (Orange Bluet)

Common at farm ponds over a relatively long
season, I often see Orange Bluets holding onto grasses
or rushes just above the water, with their bodies held
horizontal like a pennant extended from a pole. (April
21 to October 14; A)

Enallagma traviatum traviatum (Slender Bluet)

This is another common denizen of farm ponds in
the county. (May 25 to July 12; A)

Enallagma vesperum (Vesper Bluet)

I have seen Vesper Bluets at both the Lowell pond
and the Childress/Payne pond at around dusk. They
typically alight on floating mats of pondweed out in the
water, but I also captured a mating pair in a small tree
on the shore. (May 22 to September 15; A)

Ischnura hastata (Citrine Forktail)

I only see this damselfly occasionally, and it tends
to be somewhat inconspicuous, low in heavy vegetation
in damp places around farm ponds, including the
Lowell pond, Childress/Payne pond, and Chapel
Springs Farm pond. (April 21 to September 16; A)

Ischnura kellicotti (Lilypad Forktail)

My only record is of several adults perched on lily
pads at Chapel Springs Farm pond. (May 30; A)

Ischnura posita (Fragile Forktail)

This is by far the most common of the forktails in
Albemarle County. It is likely to be found low in heavy
vegetation near any body of water. It is abroad from
spring through fall. (March 22 to October 19; A)

Ischnura verticalis (Eastern Forktail)
Much less common than the Fragile Forktail, this

damselfly can often be found at farm ponds in similar
habitat. (March 24 to November 8; A)

CHILDRESS: ALBEMARLE COUNTY ODONATA 39

DISCUSSION

Understanding of the distribution of Odonata
species in Virginia has come from a combination of
somewhat spotty data and educated extrapolation of
that data. This paper combines the known historical
records with new observations to present a more
complete and systematic record for Albemarle County,
showing that nearly half of the Virginia Odonata fauna
occurs in this county.

It is likely that additional species are present in the
county but yet to be documented. Some of the possible
species to be discovered include Gomphaeschna
furcillata (Harlequin Darner), Boyeria grafiana
(Ocellated Darner), Gomphus lineatifrons (Splendid
Clubtail), Lanthus vernalis (Southern Pygmy Clubtail),
Stylurus amnicola (Riverine Clubtail), Ophiogomphus
rupinsulensis (Rusty Snaketail), Cordulegaster obliqua
(Arrowhead Spiketail), Somatochlora linearis (Mocha

Emerald), Neurocordulia obsoleta (Umber
Shadowdragon), Libellula flavida (Yellow-sided
Skimmer), Sympetrum rubicundulum (Ruby

Meadowhawk), Lestes congener (Spotted Spreadwing),
Lestes forcipatus (Sweetflag Spreadwing), Argia
bipunctulata (Seepage Dancer), Chromagrion conditum
(Aurora Damsel), and WNehalennia _ integricollis
(Southern Sprite). Locations especially worthy of
further study include farm ponds in the southeastern
portion of the county that might be at the western range
limit for some species, mountain streams like Jones
Run and the North and South Forks of the Moormans
River, and both forested and open seepage areas.
I believe there are additional species to be found in and
around the James River.

There remains a large opportunity for naturalists
around the state to make a significant contribution to
our knowledge of Odonata distribution. It is important
to both document this information and to make it
available to others so that we can advance our
collective knowledge of these remarkable animals.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This project owes a great deal to the help of Steve

Roble of the Virginia Natural Heritage Program in
Richmond, whose advice, help with identifications,

familiarity with existing records and literature, and
general encouragement have been essential.

LITERATURE CITED

Bedell, P., & A. Chazal. 1999. Dythemis velox, a new
species for Virginia. Argia 11(3): 4-5.

Carle, F. L. 1982. A contribution to the knowledge of
the Odonata. Ph.D. thesis, Virginia Polytechnic Institute
and State University, Blacksburg, VA. 1,095 pp.

Kennedy, J. H. 1977. The occurrence of Archilestes
grandis Rambur (Zygoptera: Lestidae) in Virginia.
Entomological News 88: 215-216.

Lam, E. 2004. Damselflies of the Northeast.
Biodiversity Books, Forest Hills, NY. 96 pp.

Nelson, W. A. 1962. Geology and Mineral Resources of
Albemarle County. Virginia. Virginia Division of
Mineral Resources Bulletin 77. 92 pp.

Roble, S. M. 1994. A preliminary checklist of the
damselflies of Virginia, with notes on distribution and
seasonality (Odonata: Zygoptera). Banisteria 4: 3-23.

Roble, S. M. 2014. Distribution and relative abundance
of Gomphus dilatatus (Blackwater Clubtail) at the
northern limit of its range in Virginia. Argia 26(1): 16-
18.

Roble, S. M., F. L. Carle, & O. S. Flint, Jr. 2009.
Dragonflies and damselflies (Odonata) of the Laurel
Fork Recreation Area, George Washington National
Forest, Highland County, Virginia: Possible evidence
for climate change. Pp. 365-399 in S. M. Roble & J. C.
Mitchell (eds.), A Lifetime of Contributions to
Myriapodology and the Natural History of Virginia: A
Festschrift in Honor of Richard L. Hoffman’s 80th
Birthday. Virginia Museum of Natural History Special
Publication No. 16, Martinsville, VA.

Roble, S. M., C. S. Hobson, & D. J. Stevenson. 1997.
New distributional records for rare and uncommon
Odonata in Virginia. Banisteria 9: 33-42.

Banisteria, Number 43, pages 40-55
© 2014 Virginia Natural History Society

Twelve Ground Beetles New to Virginia or the District of Columbia
and an Annotated Checklist of the Geadephaga (Coleoptera,
Adephaga) from the George Washington Memorial Parkway

Brent W. Steury

U.S. National Park Service
700 George Washington Memorial Parkway
Turkey Run Park Headquarters
McLean, Virginia 22101

Peter W. Messer

4315 W. Riverlake Drive
Mequon, Wisconsin 53092

ABSTRACT

One-hundred eighty-four species in 70 genera of geadephagan beetles (183 carabids and one rhysodid) were
documented during a nine-year field survey of a national park site (George Washington Memorial Parkway) that
spans parts of Fairfax and Arlington counties and the City of Alexandria in Virginia, and the District of Columbia.
The capture of Elaphropus quadrisignatus (Duftschmid) represents the second record for the New World. Seven
species, FE. quadrisignatus, Harpalus rubripes (Duftschmid), Microlestes pusio (LeConte), Platynus opaculus
LeConte, Pterostichus permundus (Say), P. sculptus LeConte, and Scarites vicinus Chaudoir are documented for the
first time from the Commonwealth. Seven species, Anisodactylus dulcicollis (LaFerté-Sénectére), Elaphropus
anceps (LeConte), E. saturatus (Casey), Oodes americanus Dejean, P. permundus, S. vicinus, and Tachys potomaca
(Erwin) are documented for the first time from the District of Columbia. The study increases the number of
geadephagan beetles known from the Potomac River Gorge to 255 species and the number from Virginia to 543
taxa. Hand picking and Malaise traps proved to be the most successful capture methods of the eight methods
employed during the survey. Periods of adult activity, based on dates of capture, are given for each species. Relative
abundance is noted for each species based on the number of captures. Notes on morphological characteristics and
habitats are given for some species. Phloeoxena signata (Dejean) was the only species found in the study area that
appears on the state list of rare animals of Virginia. Eight species are adventive to North America.

Key words: Carabidae, Coleoptera, District of Columbia, Geadephaga, ground beetles, national park, new state
records, Potomac River Gorge, Virginia.

INTRODUCTION

The Geadephaga (Coleoptera, Adephaga), which
includes the families Trachypachidae, Rhysodidae, and
Carabidae (including cicindelines) is a large group of
primarily polyphagous beetles with estimates of nearly
40,000 species worldwide (Erwin, 1991). The carabids,
or ground beetles, represent the vast majority of the
group with more than 33,905 described species, and
2,635 species and subspecies inhabiting Nearctic North
America (Ball & Bousquet, 2001). The rhysodids, or

wrinkled bark beetles contain 355 species, and the
trachypachids, or false ground beetles, are represented
by only six species found in Chile, northern Eurasia,
and the western United States and Canada (Bousquet,
2012).

Even within the Carabidae there is high diversity in
body form and habitat preferences. Body lengths range
from just over | mm to nearly 100 mm. Some species
are blind whereas others have large eyes. Some possess
well developed wings and are strong fliers. Others are
flightless and have short or rudimentary wings, and

STEURY & MESSER: GROUND BEETLES 4]

some are wing-polymorphic. Carabids occupy nearly
every conceivable niche. Some are strong diggers and
can be found in subsurface habitats, some are cave
specialists, and others are primarily arboreal. They are
found in swamps and marshes, upland forests and
deserts, from below sea level to 5,300 m elevation
(Mani, 1968). It is not uncommon to find carabids in
human habitations. Many species overwinter as adults.
Adults live two to four years and the life cycle is
completed within one year. Pupation occurs in the
ground (Ball & Bousquet, 2001). Carabid fossils are
common in Quaternary age deposits, many representing
extant species, and have been found in sediments as old
as the late Tertiary Period (Matthews, 1979; Matthews
& Telka, 1997).

The family is popular among collectors worldwide,
no less so in Virginia. The first attempt to compile a list
of Geadephaga from the Commonwealth was made by
Bousquet & Larochelle (1993), who attributed 446
carabid taxa and four rhysodid species to Virginia.
Davidson (1995) solidified this list and increased the
total to 453 carabid species. Anderson et al. (1995)
raised the species tally to 458 species. Knisley &
Schultz (1997) added three Cicindela bringing the total
to 461 species. Hoffman (1997) added one species,
Phloeoxena signata (Dejean), to the total. Hoffman
(1998) added Pterostichus pensylvanicus LeConte and
deleted Pterostichus adstrictus Eschscholtz from the
carabid fauna of the Commonwealth. Hoffman & Roble
(2000) and Hoffman et al. (2006) added 44 carabid
species to the fauna of the Commonwealth, raising the
total to 506 species. Evans (2009) added the European
exotic Calosoma sycophanta (Linnaeus), and Hoffman
(2010) added four other carabids. With the publication
of Bousquet (2012) the number of Geadephaga
recorded from the Commonwealth reached 531 taxa,
giving Virginia (tied with Ontario) the fifth most
species-rich geadephagan fauna of all political regions
in the United States and Canada. Roble & Hoffman
(2012) broke the tie with Ontario by the discovery of
three carabids and one rhysodid beetle new to the
Virginia fauna, bringing the total to 535 taxa (528
species and seven subspecies), including 530 carabids
and five rhysodids. Roble & Hoffman (2012) also
provided a table summarizing the citations for the
various additions and deletions to the Virginian
geadephagan list since the records added by Hoffman et
al. (2006).

This study sought to add to the distributional
knowledge of the geadephagan fauna by compiling
records, documented with a voucher specimen, from a
national park in northern Virginia, George Washington
Memorial Parkway (GWMP), and to determine whether
any federally or state listed rare, threatened or

endangered Geadephaga occur within the study site.
Currently, there are 64 Geadephaga, all carabid species,
listed as rare, threatened or endangered in Virginia, the
vast majority of these occurring in the genera
Pseudanophthalmus (including 13 unnamed species) or
Cicindela (Roble, 2013).

STUDY SITE

The study site includes lands managed by the
National Park Service as units of the George
Washington Memorial Parkway (GWMP) in Virginia
(Fairfax and Arlington counties and the City of
Alexandria) and the District of Columbia. Park sites
that received the greatest inventory effort included: in
Fairfax County, Claude Moore Colonial Farm,
Collingwood Picnic Area, Dyke Marsh Wildlife
Refuge, Fort Hunt Park, Fort Marcy, Great Falls Park,
Little Hunting Creek, Riverside Park, and Turkey Run
Park; in Arlington County, Arlington Woods (at
Arlington House), the Potomac Heritage Trail, and
Roaches Run Waterfowl Sanctuary; in the City of
Alexandria, Daingerfield Island and Jones Point Park;
and in the District of Columbia, Columbia Island and
Theodore Roosevelt Island. This area _ covers
approximately 1,615 ha. Great Falls and Turkey Run
parks and some of the Potomac Heritage Trail fall
within the Piedmont physiographic province while all
other collection sites are on the Coastal Plain. Most
sites are situated along the shore of the Potomac River,
and Great Falls and Turkey Run Parks and the Potomac
Heritage Trail border the Potomac River Gorge, an area
known for high species richness of plants and animals
(Cohn, 2004). Most of the study sites are dominated by
maturing, second growth, primarily upland, deciduous
woodlands. More open habitats can be found in moist,
narrow, herbaceous dominated bands along the shore of
Potomac River, in the swamp and marsh habitats at
Dyke Marsh, and in areas with managed turf grass and
scattered large trees, such as Collingwood Picnic Area
and Fort Hunt Park. The vascular flora of the GWMP is
diverse, with more than 1,313 taxa recorded, 1,020
from Great Falls Park alone (Steury et al., 2008; Steury,
2011).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The number of geadephagan species documented
from GWMP has grown since the first inventory
targeting these families occurred in Great Falls and
Turkey Run parks on three days in 2006 during the
Potomac Gorge Bioblitz, which documented 30 species
(Evans, 2008). The current list of 184 species is the
result of approximately nine years (2004-summer 2013)

42 BANISTERIA

of sporadic survey effort targeting arthropods using
eight collecting techniques as follows: yellow, blue, and
white pan traps in Great Falls Park (two years); Malaise
traps set at Dyke Marsh (five years), and Great Falls
and Turkey Run parks (three years); pit-fall traps set at
Dyke Marsh (five years) and at Little Hunting Creek
and Great Falls and Turkey Run Parks (three years);
Lindgren funnel and black-light (UV) bucket traps set
at Dyke Marsh, Great Falls Park, Little Hunting Creek,
and Turkey Run Park (two years); black-light shown on
sheets at Great Falls and Turkey Run parks (three
years); leaf litter samples from Arlington Woods, Dyke
Marsh, Fort Marcy, Great Falls Park, Roaches Run
Waterfowl Sanctuary, and Turkey Run Park, processed
in Berlese funnels (two years); beating sheets used
during the Potomac Gorge Bioblitz and sporadically at
other times over two years; and collecting by hand at
all sites, intensively for two years. Specimens were
pinned and labeled and deposited in the collections
maintained at the George Washington Memorial
Parkway, Turkey Run Park Headquarters in McLean,
Virginia. To determine new Virginia records we
reviewed the literature associated with the citations
listed in the introduction. To determine carabid records
new for the Potomac River Gorge we reviewed
publications by Stork (1984), Erwin (1981), Steiner &
Erwin (2007), Brown (2008), Evans (2008), and
Bousquet & Messer (2010). Habitat associations and
notes on life history were made for specimens collected
by hand or found in leaf litter samples filtered through
Berlese funnels.

RESULTS

A total of 184 geadephagan species (183 carabids
and one rhysodid) in 70 genera and 30 tribes was
documented from GWMP. Seven species, Elaphropus
quadrisignatus (Duftschmid), Harpalus rubripes
(Duftschmid), Microlestes pusio (LeConte), Platynus
opaculus LeConte, Pterostichus permundus (Say), P.
sculptus LeConte, and Scarites vicinus Chaudoir, are
reported here as new records for Virginia. A female,
tentatively identified as Loxandrus circulus Allen, may
represent an eighth species new to the Commonwealth.
Seven carabids, Anisodactylus dulcicollis (LaFerté-
Sénectére), Elaphropus anceps (LeConte), E. saturatus
(Casey), Oodes americanus Dejean, P. permundus, S.
vicinus, and Tachys potomaca (Erwin), are new to the
District of Columbia. These new records increase the
number of carabid beetles known from Virginia to 543
taxa (however the record for L. circulus needs
confirmation), and the number known from the District
of Columbia increases to 350 taxa. With a total of 543
taxa, Virginia surpasses the total reported for North

NO. 43, 2014

Carolina in Bousquet (2012), giving Virginia the fourth
most species-rich geadephagan fauna of all political
regions in the United States and Canada. One species,
Phloeoxena signata (Dejean), is listed as rare (S3) in
Virginia (Roble, 2013). Eight species are adventive to
North America.

The 184 geadephagan beetles collected from
GWMP surpasses the number of species listed for some
of the most studied sites in Virginia and Maryland.
These sites include Quantico Marine Corps Base in
adjacent Prince William and _ Stafford counties,
Virginia, with 114 species (Hoffman, 2010), and
Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge in Kent County,
Maryland, with 80 species (Staines & Staines, 2011).
Carabid inventories between 1970 and 1984 on
Plummers Island in the Potomac River Gorge of
Montgomery County, Maryland, yielded 117 species
(Erwin, 1981; Stork, 1984). However, 214 carabid
beetle species have been collected on Plummers Island
over the last 100 years based on literature reviews and
historical collections at the Smithsonian Institution,
National Museum of Natural History (Brown, 2008;
Erwin, 1981). Forty-nine species documented from
GWMP are not known to occur on Plummers Island. Of
these, 37 were documented for the first time along the
Potomac River Gorge within 6 km north or south of
Plummers Island. These species, plus three others
(Acupalpus indistinctus Dejean, Agonum punctiforme
[Say], and Amphasia sericea [Harris]) reported from the
Potomac River Gorge by Evans (2008), and the
addition of Agonoleptus thoracicus (Casey) by
Bousquet & Messer (2010), bring the total number of
carabids documented from the Potomac River Gorge to
255 species. The report of Scaphinotus viduus (Dejean)
from the Potomac River Gorge by Evans (2008) is
based on a misidentified specimen of S. unicolor
(Fabricius). The records for Trichotichnus dichrous
(Dejean) in Evans (2008), a species not seen in the
Potomac River Gorge since 1932, are based on
misidentified specimens of Selenophorus opalinus
(LeConte).

Anderson et al. (1995) suggested that the high
number of carabids found on Plummers Island (many
represented by just a few specimens) may be the result
of random flight dispersal or downstream transport by
high water, but the rediscovery of 40 of these species
during this study, or by Evans (2008), suggests that
most of them are rare, persistent residents of the
Potomac River Gorge. Despite over nine years of
sporadic survey effort using eight collecting techniques,
46 species (25%) documented by this study are
represented by a single specimen. The GWMP sites
with the highest species richness were Great Falls Park
with 118 (26 unique to this site), Turkey Run Park with

STEURY & MESSER: GROUND BEETLES 43

110 (23), and Dyke Marsh Wildlife Refuge with 55
(12). Hand picking proved to be the most successful
method of capturing carabid beetles during this study,
yielding 134 species, including 50 captured only using
this method. Comparable figures for other sampling
methods were: Malaise traps, 83 (19 unique); Berlese
funnels, 37 (3); black lights, 35 species (7); and pit-fall
traps 31 (6). The capture of 83 species in Malaise traps
suggests that these species may be strong fliers with
substantial dispersal power, although these traps also
captured a few species such as Myas coracinus (Say)
and Pterostichus tristis (Dejean) that are not known to
have flight abilities (Larochelle & Lariviére, 2003). The
68 species captured only in pit-fall traps or by hand
picking may indicate that these species fly less readily
or not at all, although a number of infrequently
collected species (Agonum striatopunctatum Dejean,
Anisodactylus — rusticus (Say), Apristus — latens
(LeConte), Bembidion americanum Dejean, B. castor
Lindroth, B. lacunarium (Zimmermann), B. levigatum
Say, B. rolandi Fall, Brachinus fumans (Fabricius),
Bradycellus atrimedeus (Say), Chlaenius cordicollis
Kirby, C. impunctifrons Say, C. laticollis Say, C.
sericeus (Forster), Cicindela tranquebarica
tranquebarica Herbst, C. repanda repanda Dejean,
etc.), Dyschirius sphaericollis (Say), Elaphrus
californicus Mannerheim, and a more common one
(Bembidion honestum Say), that are noted as strong
fliers (Larochelle & Lariviére, 2003) also were captured
only using these two methods. Species collected
between mid-November and mid-March probably
overwintered as adults, although many of these same
species may overwinter as larvae as well.

Most native carabid beetle species recorded from
GWMP have wide north-south ranges within their
eastern United States distributions. However, a few
species such as Cyclotrachelus furtivus (LeConte),
Microlestes pusio (LeConte), Scarites vicinus Chaudoir,
and Tachys potomaca (Erwin) are less widely
distributed and restricted to, or rare within, the Mid-
Atlantic area. The ten most commonly collected
carabids during this study, in decreasing order of
abundance, were Stenolophus ochropezus_ (Say),
Agonum punctiforme, Bembidion affine Say,
Pterostichus sculptus WLeConte, Bembidion fugax
(LeConte), Elaphropus saturatus (Casey), Cicindela
sexguttata Fabricius, Chlaenius aestivus Say,
Agonoleptus conjunctus (Say), and Platynus tenuicollis
(LeConte) (see list of species for number of each
species captured). The most common genera were
Bembidion (18 species), Agonum and Anisodactylus (9),
Chlaenius and Elaphropus (8), Lebia and Pterostichus
(7), and Amara (6).

Surprising omissions from this inventory based on

their abundance and recent (circa 1975) presence on
Plummers Island include the following 15 species:
Agonum rigidulum (Casey), A. tenue (LeConte),
Badister notatus Haldeman, Calathus gregarius (Say),
Cyclotrachelus approximatus (LeConte), Dicaelus
ambiguus lLaFerté-Sénectere, D. politus Dejean,
Dromius piceus Dejean, Dyschirius pilosus LeConte,
Elaphropus incurvus (Say), Harpalus faunus Say,
Olisthopus micans LeConte, Pterostichus caudicalis
(Say), Stenolophus comma _ (Fabricius), and
Trichotichnus vulpeculus (Say). The absence of these
species after nine years of survey effort is even more
surprising considering that 73.3% are macropterous and
most are strong fliers.

LIST OF SPECIES

Taxa are listed by family and tribe following the
nomenclature and taxonomic order used by Bousquet
(2012). Seven carabid species new to _ the
Commonwealth of Virginia, and one potentially new
(Loxandrus nr. circulus Allen), are marked by a dagger
(+). Seven species new to the District of Columbia are
marked with a double dagger (1). Thirty-seven carabid
species found along the Potomac River Gorge that were
previously unrecorded from the Gorge are marked with
an asterisk (*). Forty-nine species found during this
study that have not been found on Plummers Island are
marked with an exclamation point (!). Eight species
non-native to North America are signified with a
diamond (). The number of specimens in the collection
is indicated in parentheses after each taxon. Sites where
specimens were collected are given for the District of
Columbia: Columbia Island (CI), Theodore Roosevelt
Island (RI); Arlington County, Virginia: Arlington
Woods (AW), Potomac Heritage Trail (PH), Roaches
Run Waterfowl Sanctuary (RR); City of Alexandria,
Virginia: Daingerfield Island (DI), Jones Point Park
(JP); and Fairfax County, Virginia: Claude Moore
Colonial Farm (CM), Collingwood Picnic Area (CP),
Dyke Marsh Wildlife Preserve (DM), Fort Hunt Park
(FH), Fort Marcy (FM), Great Falls Park (GF), Little
Hunting Creek (LH), Riverside Park (RP) and Turkey
Run Park (TR). Collection methods are listed using the
following abbreviations: Berlese funnel (bf); beating
sheet (bs); black light (UV) traps or sheets (bl); hand
picking, including the use of coverboards and splashing
soil with water (hp); Lindgren funnel (If); Malaise trap
(mt); pan trap (pt); and pit-fall trap (pf). The periods of
adult activity are given based on dates when live
collected taxa have been documented in the park. Dates
separated by a hyphen indicate that the taxon was
documented on at least one day during each month
within this continuum of months, whereas dates

44 BANISTERIA

separated by a comma represent individual observation
dates. For traps set over multiple weeks, the first day of
the set is used as the earliest date and the last day of the
set as the latest date. Species found during this survey
that have not been collected from the Potomac River
Gorge within the last 70 years are indicated by the
abbreviation “PRG” followed by the year of the last
known collection. The habitats of taxa collected by
hand or in leaf litter samples are described along with
other notes on the species’ biology. References to
“woods” or “woodlands” mean upland deciduous
forests unless indicated otherwise.

RHYSODIDAE
CLINIDUNI

Clinidium sculptile (Newman)—(10); FM, GF, TR; bf,
hp; 14 Apr - 16 May; PRG 1917; on tree trunk at night;
under bark; leaf litter in woods.

CARABIDAE
NEBRIINI

Nebria lacustris Casey—(7); GF, TR; bl, hp; 15 Sep-15
Oct; creek mouth, gravelly, silt and cobble shore;
rocky, non-tidal river shore with sand and _ silt.
Gregarious, usually in groups of three to five, or
sometimes solitary, sometimes with N. pallipes.

Nebria pallipes Say—(5); TR; hp; 6 May, 15-26 Sep;
rocky, non-tidal river shore with sand and silt; creek
mouth with gravel, silt, and cobble; creek mouth under
rock on silty sand. A subteneral specimen was captured
on 6 May 2006.

NOTIOPHILINI

Notiophilus aeneus (Herbst)-(5); GF; pf; 11 Apr-29
Jun.

Notiophilus novemstriatus LeConte-(2); GF, TR; hp;
20 May, 25 Sep; under coverboard at edge of woods; in
gravelly soil at edge of road.

Notiophilus semistriatus Say—(1); GF; bs; 24 Jun; PRG
1918; captured while presumably climbing vegetation.

CYCHRINI

Sphaeroderus stenostomus lecontei Dejean—(12); AW,
FM, GF, TR; bf, hp, pf; 19 Mar-15 Jul; under log in
woods; leaf litter in woods.

Scaphinotus unicolor (Fabricius)—(4); GF; hp, pf; 11-27
Apr, 24 Jun, 21 Sep-13 Oct; PRG 1943; woods in leaf

NO. 43, 2014

litter. This large and brilliantly violaceous variant of S.
unicolor known in the Potomac River region was
previously assigned to subspecies S. unicolor
shoemakeri Leng, but that name _ was_ recently
synonymized with nominate S. unicolor.

CARABINI

Calosoma scrutator (Fabricius)—(1); FH; hp; 10 Aug;
dead in pavilion.

Carabus vinctus (Weber)-(3); GF; hp; 17 Apr, 24 Aug;
PRG 1914; under log at swamp edge; on dirt road.

CICINDELINI

Cicindela punctulata punctulata Olivier—(1); TR; hp; 5
Jul; PRG 1918; found dead in parking lot.

!Cicindela tranquebarica tranquebarica Herbst-(1);
FH; hp; 19 Sep; edge of turf grass and dirt infield of
baseball diamond.

Cicindela sexguttata Fabricius—(32); GF, LH, TR; hp,
pf, mt; 10 Apr-30 Jul; on trail in woods.

Cicindela repanda repanda Dejean—(5); GF, TR; hp;
22-23 May, 11-26 Sep; sand bank along river.

ELAPHRINI

Elaphrus_ californicus Mannerheim—(3); TR; hp; 30
May; non-tidal river channel shore on silty sand.

Elaphrus ruscarius Say—(2); DM, TR; hp, mt; 19 Apr-
30 May; non-tidal river channel shore on silty sand.

OMOPHRONINI

Omophron americanum Dejean-(4); TR; hp; 23-30
May, 29 Aug; non-tidal river channel shore on silty
sand.

SCARITINI

Tt*!Scarites vicinus Chaudoir-(6); GF, RI, TR; bl, hp,
pf; 27 Apr-25 Jun, 30 Aug-6 Sep; sandy woodland
under log; creek mouth with cobble, silt and driftwood;
under log in dry woods. A teneral specimen was
captured on 30 August 2012 in Great Falls Park. This
species has a generally Midwestern distribution along
the Mississippi River drainages reaching eastward to
Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, and now Virginia. These
records are the first for the East Coast of the United

STEURY & MESSER: GROUND BEETLES 45

States. The nearly identical S$. quadriceps Chaudoir has
been reported from adjacent Maryland and North
Carolina, but not Virginia. Specimens from GWMP
demonstrate relatively equal ratios of metasternum
length to metacoxa length (measured through the same
maximum longitudinal line) as is similarly observed in
typical S. vicinus from the Midwestern United States. In
typical S$. quadriceps, the metasternum is visibly longer
compared to the metacoxa.

Scarites subterraneus Fabricius—(7); CP, RI, TR; hp; 13
May-23 Jun, 29 Aug-11 Sep; under log in woods; creek
mouth with cobble, silt, and driftwood; woodland edge
under coverboard; sandy woods under log; in building.

CLIVININI

Clivina dentipes Dejean—(13); GF, PH, TR; bl, hp; 15
May-25 Sep; rocky non-tidal shore with sand and silt;
non-tidal shore with sand and cobble; tidal shore on
silty sand under river drift; woodland edge under
coverboard.

!Clivina pallida Say—(1); AW; bf; 14 May; leaf litter in
woods.

Clivina americana Dejean—(7); GF; bl, hp, mt; 17 Apr-
23 Jun, 30 Aug; riverside sand and cobble; under
streamside rock in woods.

Paraclivina bipustulata (Fabricius)-(8); AW, GF; bf,
bl; 14 May-23 Jun; leaf litter in woods.

Paraclivina ferrea (LeConte)—(1); RI; hp; 15 May;
PRG 1903; sandy tidal beach under driftwood.

*!Schizogenius amphibius (Haldeman)—(6); DM, JP,
RI; hp; 2 May, 20 Jun, 6 Sep; sandy tidal shore under
cobble. The Potomac River Gorge specimen was found
at the mouth of the gorge on the northern shore of
Theodore Roosevelt Island.

Schizogenius lineolatus (Say)—(18); DM, GF, TR; hp;
15-30 May, 30 Aug-18 Sep; rocky non-tidal beach with
sand and silt; river shore with cobble and driftwood;
sandy tidal beach with cobble; sandy non-tidal beach
with silt cakes and sparse vegetation.

!Ardistomis obliquata Putzeys—(8); DM; bf, hp, mt; 15
Apr-6 Jun; gravelly tidal shore on log in patch of
Schoenoplectus pungens (Vahl) Palla.; in leaf litter near
water.

Semiardistomis viridis (Say)—(25), DM, GF, PH, RI; bf,

hp, mt; 15 May-21 Oct; rocky non-tidal shore with silt
and gravel; sandy tidal shore with cobble; leaf litter
near water.

DYSCHIRUNI

Dyschirius haemorrhoidalis (Dejean)-(5); DM, GF,
TR; bl, hp; 30 May-30 Jul, 9 Sep; river shore on sand
and clay; non-tidal river channel on silty sand.

Dyschirius sphaericollis (Say)(4); GF, TR; hp; 20-30
May; sandy non-tidal river shore; non-tidal river
channel shore on silty sand.

BEMBIDINI

Bembidion nigrum Say—(2); TR; hp; 29 Aug-9 Sep;
PRG 1906; creek mouth on sand and clay.

Bembidion inaequale Say—(7); GF; TR; hp, mt; 10 Apr-
20 May, 29 Aug; non-tidal shore with sand, mud and
sparse vegetation; creek mouth on clay bank.

Bembidion americanum Dejean—(1); GF; hp; 9 Sep;
PRG 1906; non-tidal river shore with cobble and drift
wood.

*!Bembidion antiquum Dejean—(7); DM, RI, TR; hp,
mt; 12 Apr-22 May, 25 Sep; non-tidal shore with
cobble, silt and driftwood; tidal sandy beach under
driftwood; rocky shore with sand and silt. This species
and the next two are members of the subgenus
Pseudoperyphus, a diagnostically challenging group
when not comparing male genitalia (Maddison, 2008).
It is possible that the record of B. chalceum Dejean
from the Potomac River Gorge reported by Stork
(1984) and cited by Brown (2008) was actually B.
antiquum, which at that time was thought by some
authors to be a synonym of B. chalceum. Our
identification of B. antiquum is based on_ the
combination of geographic location, body length > 6.0
mm, appendages partly pale, pronotum moderately
convex with lateral borders well rounded and sinuate to
base, elytra with posterior punctures non-foveate,
intervals flat, weakly impressed elytral striae which
tend to vanish apically, and elytral microsculpture mesh
with a tendency to be stretched transversely. Dissected
genitalia of two males each demonstrated the
characteristic widely sinuate flagellum-like structure
located inside the median lobe. This species bears close
resemblance to the widespread B. chalceum, which was
reported from the Potomac River region by Stork
(1984) and Maddison (2008). However, no specimens
from this inventory fit typical B. chalceum which is

46 BANISTERIA

distinguished by its smaller size (< 6.0 mm long), a
pronotum that is quite convex with deep basolateral
depressions, and elytra with intervals distinctly convex
and with striae extended deeply to apex.

Bembidion honestum Say-—(11); GF, TR; hp; 16-22
May, 18-26 Sep; non-tidal rocky beach with sand and
silt; cobble, silt and driftwood at creek mouth; silty
sand under rock at creek mouth. Identification of B.
honestum is based here on the combination of
geographic location, body length of 5.5 - 6.0 mm,
pronotum being relatively broad and flat with
basolateral depressions that are very shallow, pronotal
luster relatively dull, elytra with posterior punctures
more or less foveate, elytral striae distinctly engraved to
apex, and elytral microsculpture mesh _ nearly
isodiametric.

!Bembidion rothfelsi Maddison—(4); DM, RP; hp; 3-15
May; tidal sandy beach; tidal sandy cobble beach with
Schoenoplectus pungens; tidal shore with cobble and
sand. Identification of B. rothfelsi is based on the
combination of geographic location and, in comparison
to otherwise similar B. antiquum, the pronotum is
narrower, the pronotal outline is less rounded, the
reflexed pronotal margin is narrower, the elytra
intervals are not as flat, and the striae, although rather
thin, are less diminished apically. Consistent with the
descriptions in Maddison (2008), our one male
specimen was observed to have its intragenitalic
flagellum less bent, therefore less sinuate as compared
to that of B. antiquum.

*!0Bembidion tetracolum tetracolum Say—(1); PH; hp;
11 Sep; sandy beach under vegetation washed ashore.

Bembidion lacunarium (Zimmermann)—(1); TR; hp; 6
May; PRG 1905; creek edge.

Bembidion affine Say—(37); CP, DM, GF, RI, TR; bl,
hp, mt; 31 Jan, 9 May-24 Oct; non-tidal shore with
cobble, silt, and driftwood; non-tidal shore with sand
and clay; tidal shore with gravel and cobble. A sub-
teneral specimen was captured on 29 August 2013.

Bembidion impotens Casey—(10); DM, GF, PH, RI, TR;
hp, mt; 9 Aug-11 Oct; non-tidal river shore with cobble
and driftwood; sandy tidal shore; creek mouth with
sand and clay.

Bembidion castor Lindroth-(8); GF, PH, TR; hp; 20
May, 29 Aug-25 Sep; moist sandy shore under
vegetation; non-tidal river shore with cobble and
driftwood; non-tidal rocky shore with sand and silt;

NO. 43, 2014

non-tidal shore with sand, mud, and sparse vegetation.

Bembidion patruele Dejean—(3); DM, TR; hp, mt; 6-20
Jun, 9-26 Sep; creek mouth with sand and clay; silty
sandy shore under rock.

Bembidion rapidum (LeConte)—-(6); DM, TR; mt; 8-23
May, 16 Jul-11 Oct.

*!Bembidion frontale (LeConte)-(1); TR; mt; 1-22
May.

Bembidion levigatum Say—(1); PH; hp; 17 June; tidal
shore with silty sand and clay.

Bembidion variegatum Say—(6); GF, TR; hp; 20-23
May; non-tidal shore with sand, mud and _ sparse
vegetation; muddy shore of river channel.

Bembidion fugax (LeConte)—(34); GF, RI, TR; hp, mt;
10 Apr-23 May, 9-18 Sep; rocky shore with sand and
silt; non-tidal shore with cobble, sand, and driftwood;
non-tidal river shore with sand and clay; sandy tidal
beach under driftwood.

*!Bembidion rolandi Fall—(5); GF; hp; 16 May, 18 Sep;
non-tidal beach under rock on gravelly, silty, sand;
creek mouth with cobble and driftwood.

Mioptachys flavicauda (Say)—(24); AW, DM, GF, TR;
bf, bs, mt; 14 Apr-23 May, 27-29 Aug; riverside prairie;
leaf litter in woods. Considering the relatively large
number of captures of this minute (1.5-1.8 mm) beetle,
it is probably very common in the study area.

Tachyta inornata (Say)—(11); AW, GF, TR; bf, hp, mt;
10-30 Apr, 15 Dec; PRG 1905; under loose bark of
fallen Liriodendron tulipifera L.; leaf litter in woods.

t*!Elaphropus anceps (LeConte)—-(12); AW, GF, JP,
RI, TR; bf, hp; 15 Apr-30 May, 29 Aug-6 Sep; tidal
shore on pure sand under log; tidal shore under rock on
sand; non-tidal shore on silty sand; leaf litter in woods.
This species has been documented from Virginia and
Maryland, along with 32 other states, so it was to be
expected in the District of Columbia.

!Elaphropus capax (LeConte)-(1); RP; hp; 9 May;
sandy tidal beach under cobble.

tElaphropus saturatus (Casey)—(34); DM, JP, PH, RI,
RP, TR; hp, mt; 12 Apr-20 Jun, 30 Aug-19 Sep; tidal
shore on gravel bar under rock; tidal shore under
cobble; creek mouth with cobble, silt, and driftwood;

STEURY & MESSER: GROUND BEETLES 47

tidal, sandy beach with cobble and Schoenoplectus
pungens; tidal shore on silty sand under driftwood;
rocky non-tidal shore with sand and silt. On 9 May
2012, at least 14 E. saturatus were found under a 30 x
30 cm rock on a cobble bar at Jones Point Park
approximately 10 m from the tidal shore. As the tide
ebbed, the cobble bar and rock, submerged at high tide,
became exposed but were still entirely surrounded by
water. The E. saturatus found under the rock on this
cobble bar must have survived tidal submersion for at
least six hours. Larochelle & Lariviére (2003) list the
habitats of this species as banks of rivers and brooks,
drier zone of lake shores, borders of marshes,
cultivated fields, and open ground with moderately
moist substrates and sparse vegetation, but make no
mention of the species’ adaptation to long periods of
submersion. This species was first documented from
Virginia by Hoffman (2010). See E. vivax for a
discussion on resolving the occasional difficulty in
distinguishing that species from EF. saturatus on the
basis of coloration.

Elaphropus tripunctatus (Say)—(15); GF, PH, RI, TR;
hp, mt; 1-22 May, 9-19 Sep; PRG 1907; non-tidal rocky
beach with sand and silt; river shore with cobble and
driftwood; sandy tidal beach under driftwood.

Elaphropus vernicatus (Casey)—(2); PH; hp; 17 Apr, 17
Jun; sandy, silty, tidal shore under sticks.

Elaphropus vivax (LeConte)—(15); GF, TR; hp; 22
May-26 Jun, 29 Aug-25 Sep; non-tidal sandy river
shore; non-tidal river shore on sand and clay; muddy
shore under leaf litter; non-tidal shore with cobble, silt,
and driftwood. Typical EF. vivax is uniformly yellowish-
red and therefore readily distinguished in most cases
from darker reddish-brown E. saturatus by noting the
coloration of their forebodies, antennae, and palps
(Bousquet, 2010). However, some individuals of E.
saturatus from GWMP had those body parts
sufficiently lighter in color so as to cause confusion
with otherwise similar FE. vivax. A more reliable
character for distinguishing these species is the degree
of surface microsculpture (mesh) on the posterior half
of the frons and laterally on the subapical abdominal
sterna. Unlike E. saturatus, in which the mesh is
distinct, in E. vivax the mesh is obscure to absent on the
posterior frons and on the subapical sterna, thereby
rendering those areas very shiny under microscopy. A
teneral and two sub-teneral specimens were captured on
29 August 2013.

Elaphropus xanthopus (Dejean)—(19); AW, DI, DM,
FH, GF, JP, PH, RI, TR; bf, bl, hp, mt, pt; 10 Apr-26

Sep; moist upland depression under log; rocky non-tidal
shore with gravel, silt, and sand; creek mouth with
cobble, silt, and drift wood; riverside prairie; under thin
soil over concrete, leaf litter in woods. Surprisingly,
this common beetle was not attributed to the Virginia
fauna until Hoffman et al. (2006) noted it. The first
records for Fairfax County were documented by Evans
(2008). We report the first records for Arlington County
and the City of Alexandria. This is the only Elaphropus
species that was found at sites away from river shores,
with the exception of two specimens of E. anceps. It is
reported from Plummers Island (Brown, 2008) under
the synonym E. levipes (Casey).

+t*!QElaphropus quadrisignatus (Duftschmid)—(1); PH;
hp; 17 Jun; tidal shore on silty sand under debris. This
is the first record for Virginia and only the second
known capture in the New World. The first capture
occurred on 23 June 2010 at a UV light in Burlington
County, New Jersey. The corresponding habitus images
and collection data were posted on the website
BugGuide.net by collector Tim Moyer. That specimen
was examined, determined, and retained by P.W.
Messer, who — subsequently received species
corroboration from authority Terry Erwin based on his
recognition of the distinct habitus images (pers. comm.
27 June 2012). This species is not listed in the North
American catalogue by Bousquet (2012). According to
Lébl & Smetana (2003), E. guadrisignatus has been
documented from Europe, west to Portugal and the
United Kingdom, north to Poland, east to Turkey and
Cyprus, south to Macedonia and Italy and in northern
Africa (Algeria and Morocco).

Polyderis laeva (Say)-(7); DM, GF, PH, RR; bf; 15
Apr, 19-21 Oct; PRG 1923; leaf litter in woods. This is
the smallest carabid beetle collected at GWMP,
measuring only 1.2 to 1.5 mm.

Tachys oblitus Casey—(21); AW, DM, GF, RP; bf, hp,
mt; 11 May-30 Aug; 19-21 Oct; leaf litter near water;
leaf litter in woods; non-tidal river shore with sand and
cobble; sandy tidal shore under driftwood. The three
specimens from Great Falls Park represent the second
time this species has been found in the Potomac River
Gorge, the first being from Plummers Island in 1960.
These are the first records for Fairfax and Arlington
counties based on the Virginia range documented by
Roble & Hoffman (2012).

tTachys potomaca (Erwin)—(26); DM, GF, PH, RI, TR;
bf, hp; 15 Apr-15 May; 6 Sep-21 Oct; leaf litter near
water; leaf litter in woods; sandy tidal beach under log;
tidal beach on sand and silt under moist leaf litter.

48 BANISTERIA

Described as a new species in 1981, the type locality
for this brachypterous carabid is in the Potomac River
Gorge. Its known range is restricted to five Mid-
Atlantic states between Massachusetts and North
Carolina with an inland station reported from Ohio. The
District of Columbia is added here to the known range
of the species.

Tachys proximus (Say)—(1); DM; mt; 20 Jun-2 Jul.

Tachys scitulus LeConte-—(18); DM, GF, PH, TR; bf, bl,
hp, mt; 15 Apr-26 Sep; tidal shore on silty sand under
driftwood; muddy non-tidal shore under leaf litter;
creek mouth with cobble silt and driftwood; leaf litter
near water. This wide ranging species was first
recorded for Virginia by Hoffman et al. (2006). Evans
(2008) documented the first record for Fairfax County
and the Dyke Marsh specimens represent the second
Coastal Plain records from Virginia (Hoffman, 2010).
We add Arlington County to its known distribution in
Virginia. A teneral specimen was captured in Turkey
Run Park on 25 September 2012.

PATROBINI

Patrobus longicornis (Say)—(5); JP, PH, TR; hp; 9
May-26 Jun, 11-26 Sep; tidal shore, silty sand under
driftwood; creek mouth, silty sand under rock; woods
inside rotting log.

BRACHININI

Brachinus fumans (Fabricius)—(1); TR; hp; 9 Sep; PRG
1908; under coverboard at edge of woods.

ABACETINI

*!Loxandrus brevicollis (LeConte)-~(2); GF; hp, mt;
24 Apr-18 Jun; in moist leaf litter at edge of vernal
pool.

tLoxandrus nr. circulus Allen192); GF; mt; 1-20
May. Geographically, L. circulus is the most probable
of the five species belonging to a subset of the erraticus
group that ends in couplet #74 for females in the
taxonomic key by Allen (1972). Ranges for the other
four species (L. cincinnati Casey, L. minor (Chaudoir),
L. nitidulus (LeConte), L. robustus Allen) are relatively
far removed from Virginia. Although L. circulus has
not been previously recorded from Virginia, it is known
from adjacent Plummers Island, Maryland. Globally,
L. circulus is known only from a few localities
in Maryland, the District of Columbia, northern Ohio,
Mississippi, and Alabama (Bousquet, 2012).

NO. 43, 2014

*!Loxandrus vulneratus Casey—(3); CM, GF; bl, hp; 11
Mar, 25 May; under rock near vernal pool.

*!Loxandrus rectus (Say)—(1); GF; bl; 12 Jul.
PTEROSTICHINI

Poecilus lucublandus (Say)—(15); CM, CP, FH, GF; hp,
pf, mt; 8 Apr-29 Jun, 30 Aug-11 Nov; swamp under
log; woodland edge under log; turf grass; parking lot; in
building.

Gastrellarius honestus (Say)—(2); TR; hp; 14 Apr, 15
Dec; PRG 1922; under bark of fallen Fagus grandifolia
Ehrhart.

Myas coracinus (Say)-(8); GF, LH, TR; hp, pf, mt; 6
Jun-17 Jul, 23 Sep-14 Nov; PRG 1923; rich woods
under log; in building.

Pterostichus trinarius (Casey)—(18); GF, TR; hp, pf; 11
Apr-7 Jul, 23 Sep-13 Oct; under bark; on trail in woods.

Pterostichus coracinus (Newman)-—(2); GF, TR; pf; 16-
30 Jun, 23 Sep-13 Oct; PRG 1919. The report of this
species by Evans (2008) from the Gorge is based on a
misidentified P. stygicus.

Pterostichus stygicus (Say)—(19); FM, GF, LH, PH, TR;
bf, hp; 16 May-23 Jun, 29 Aug-25 Sep; tidal shore, silty
sand under driftwood; turf grass under board near
woods; under coverboard at edge of woods; rocky non-
tidal shore with sand and silt; swamp under log; dry
vernal pool under log; rich woods under log; leaf litter
in woods.

*!Pterostichus atratus (Newman)—(3); GF; pf; 23 Sep-
20 Oct.

Tt*!Prterostichus permundus (Say)-(7); GF, PH, RI,
TR; hp, pf; 30 Aug-23 Oct; tidal shore under driftwood
on sand, silt, and wet leaf litter; tidal shore under log on
pure sand; turf grass under board near woods; in
building. The known range for P. permundus is from
southern Ontario and northern Michigan to southeastern
South Dakota, northeastern Texas, and northeastern
Florida (Bousquet, 2012).

+*!Pterostichus sculptus LeConte—(36); CP, DM, FH,
GF, JP; bf, hp; 9 May-2 Jun, 19 Sep-11 Nov; under
rock at edge of woods; under log in turf grass; tidal
shore under driftwood; leaf litter near water; crossing
stone road; under leaf litter on parking lot curb; in
building. The documented range for P. sculptus is from

STEURY & MESSER: GROUND BEETLES 49

New York to Iowa, south to Arkansas, Alabama,
Georgia and South Carolina (Bousquet, 2012). Despite
its status as a new State record, this is the most common
large carabid found in the study area. The species was
listed as nocturnal by Larochelle & Lariviére (2003),
but one specimen at Dyke Marsh was found crossing a
stone road at midday. In September, a group of nine P.
sculptus was found under a rock measuring 30 x 35 cm.
Adult lengths for this species have been listed as 15 -
17 mm (Downie & Arnett, 1996; Ciegler, 2000), but
five smaller specimens (12.5 to 13.5 mm) were found in
the study area. A subteneral specimen was found in
Great Falls Park on 20 May, 2013.

Pterostichus tristis (Dejean)—(3); GF, TR; hp, mt, pf; 19
Apr-21 May, 7-16 Jul; in building.

Cyclotrachelus sigillatus (Say)—(7); TR; hp, pf; 2 Jun-
29 Aug; PRG 1909; under coverboard at edge of
woods; under log in rich woods; in building.

*!Cyclotrachelus furtivus (LeConte)—(12); FH, GF, TR;
hp, pf; 2 Jun-29 Aug; under coverboard at edge of
woods; rich woods under log; in building. The known
range of this large, brachypterous carabid extends from
central Virginia north to New Jersey and west to West
Virginia.

ZABRINI

*!Amara pennsylvanica Hayward—(1); GF; hp; 1 May;
near pond.

Amara exarata Dejean—(1); TR; hp; 13 Sep; PRG 1919;
woodland edge under coverboard.

Amara impuncticollis (Say)-(6); CM, GF, TR; bf, hp,
mt; 7 Mar-22 May; under rock in woods, under bark
pile in woods; in leaf litter.

Amara aenea (DeGeer)—(10); AH, CP, DM, GF, PH,
TR; bf, hp, pf; 20 Feb-24 Jun; on stone road; in turf
grass at edge of parking lot; in leaf litter.

Amara anthobia Villa & Villa—Q); CP, DI, FM, JP,
TR; hp; 7 Mar-11 Jun, 10 Nov; turf grass at edge of
parking lot; in parking lot; moist depression under log,
under rock in woods, on sidewalk. On the East Coast,
this introduced European beetle has been recorded only
in New York, Maryland, and Virginia.

Amara familiaris (Duftschmid)-(5); DM, GF, JP, PH;
hp, mt; 8-28 Apr, 20 Jun-2 Jul; on sidewalk; river shore
on sand and silt under sticks; under rock at woodland

edge.
OODINI

!Lachnocrepis parallela (Say)—(3); DM; mt; 19-28 Apr,
29 Aug-10 Oct.

Oodes amaroides Dejean—(3); DM, GF, TR; bf, bl, hp;
15 Apr-25 May; muddy shore of river channel; leaf
litter near water.

t*!Oodes americanus Dejean—(2); RI; hp; 15 May;
under driftwood at upper edge of sand beach. Based on
the range given for this species in Bousquet (2012), this
capture likely represents the northernmost known
record. This species is tentatively separated externally
from very similar O. fluvialis by its proportionately
broader pronotal base and by its elytrial striae possibly
more finely and distantly punctate. Reliable species
separation, as used to determine this record, requires
examination of the dissected aedeagus as described by
Bousquet (1996).

*!Oodes brevis Lindroth-(4); FM, GF, LH; bf, hp, mt,
pf; 10 Apr-16 May; near pond; leaf litter in woods.

*!Oodes fluvialis LeConte—(1); DM; hp; 22 Mar; under
log in swamp.

Stenocrepis cuprea (Chaudoir)—-(4); GF, TR; bl, hp; 7
Jul, 9 Sep.

CHLAENIINI

*!Chlaenius amoenus Dejean—(5); FM, GF, TR; bf, pf;
15 Apr-7 Jul.

Chlaenius emarginatus Say—(1); DM; mt; 18-23 Jul.

Chlaenius aestivus Say—(31); DM, GF, JP, TR; bf, hp,
pf, mt; 11 Apr-26 Jul, 25 Sep; under loose pine bark;
under coverboard at edge of woods; tidal shore under
drift wood; muddy non-tidal shore under leaf litter;
rocky non-tidal shore under rock on muddy sand; leaf
litter near water. This species was observed to be
gregarious at dry upland sites but solitary on moist river
banks.

Chlaenius laticollis Say—(4); TR; hp; 15 Sep; non-tidal
shore with cobble, gravel, silt, and driftwood.

Chlaenius sericeus (Forster)—-(5); GF, TR; hp; 13 Mar,
23 May, 30 Aug-26 Sep; non-tidal shore under cobble
on sand, silt, and gravel; under log in woods; sandy

50 BANISTERIA

non-tidal beach under driftwood.

Chlaenius cordicollis Kirby—(4); TR; hp; 22 May, 25-
26 Sep; PRG 1918; non-tidal shore with cobble, gravel,
silt, and driftwood; creek mouth, silty sand under rock.

Chlaenius impunctifrons Say—(2); GF, TR; hp, pf; 2-16
Jun, 15 Sep; non-tidal shore on gravelly silt and cobble.

Chlaenius tricolor tricolor Dejean—(9); DM, FH, GF,
TR; bl, hp, mt; 28 Apr-12 Jul, 15-26 Sep; under
coverboard at edge of woods; creek mouth under rock
on silt and gravel; riverbank under driftwood on silty
sand; in building.

LICININI

Dicaelus elongatus Bonelli-(1); LH; pf; 28 Apr-18
May.

Dicaelus dilatatus dilatatus Say—(1); GF; pf; 11-28
Apr; PRG 1925.

Dicaelus furvus furvus Dejean—(2); LH; hp, pf; 3 Apr,
29 Jul-11 Aug; sandy Fagus grandifolia Ehrhart/Pinus
virginiana Miller woodland under log.

Dicaelus sculptilis intricatus LeConte—(12); GF, TR;
hp, pf; 27 Apr-30 Jun, 11Aug-13 Sep; PRG 1905; rich
woods under log; dead on sidewalk; in building.

Badister reflexus LeConte—(1); TR; bf; 12 May; PRG
1905; leaf litter in woods.

HARPALINI

Notiobia nitidipennis (LeConte)—(5); CP, TR; hp, mt;
11 Mar-30 Apr, 26 Jul, 29 Sep; under cover board at
woodland edge; turf grass duff; under rock in open path
through woods.

Notiobia terminata (Say)—(5); DM, GF, TR; bl, hp, mt;
23 Jun-23 Jul; PRG 1902; in building.

Anisodactylus nigerrimus (Dejean)—(7); GF, TR; bf, hp,
pt; 15 Apr-6 May; PRG 1923; riverside prairie; open
area in woods under rock; leaf litter in woods.

Anisodactylus agricola (Say)—(2); TR; hp, pf; 14 Apr-
12 May; under bark.

Anisodactylus melanopus (Haldeman)—(7); CM, GF, RI,
RR, TR; bf, hp, mt; 11 Mar-16 May, 25 Sep; PRG
1912; under cobble at river edge; under streamside

NO. 43, 2014

rock; under driftwood on sandy tidal beach; under log
at edge of small agricultural field; leaf litter in woods.

t*!Anisodactylus dulcicollis (LaFerté-Sénectére)—(13);
AW, CP, DI, DM, FH, RI, TR; bf, hp, mt; 15 Apr-27
Jun, 19 Sep; rich woods under log; sandy tidal beach
under driftwood; dry turf grass; turf grass under log; in
spider web; leaf litter in woods, in building.

*!Anisodactylus ovularis (Casey)—(1); TR; hp; 17 May;
attracted to light on building.

Anisodactylus rusticus (Say)—(4); CI, FH, TR, GF; hp;
22 Mar-17 Apr, 26 Sep; under thin soil over concrete;
on dirt road; parking lot.

*!Anisodactylus sanctaecrucis (Fabricius)—(1); TR; mt;
19-30 Jun.

Anisodactylus verticalis (LeConte)—(4); GF, TR; hp,
mt, pf; 20 May-21 Jul; under rock on sandy roadside.

*!Anisodactylus laetus Dejean—(1); GF; bl; 12 Jul.
!Amphasia sericea (Harris)—(3); GF; bl; 23 Jun-5 Jul.

Amphasia interstitialis (Say)—(6); GF, PH, RR, TR; bf,
hp, pf; 15 Apr-16 Jun; leaf litter in woods; muddy tidal
shore under log.

Stenolophus fuliginosus Dejean—(1); DM; mt; 28 May-6
Jun. The specimen is a pale-legged variant.

Stenolophus ochropezus (Say)—(134); AW, DI, DM,
FH, GF, TR; bf, bl, hp, mt; 10 Apr-23 Jul, 19-26 Sep;
dry vernal pool under rock; moist upland depression
under log; leaf litter in woods; leaf litter near water;
creek mouth with cobble silt and driftwood; river shore
with silty sand under rock; attracted to light on
building. This was the most commonly collected
carabid during this study, yet it was not reported from
Virginia until Hoffman et al. (2006) listed it from 30
Virginia counties. Evans (2008) reported the first record
for Fairfax County. We add the first records for
Arlington County and the City of Alexandria.

Stenolophus plebejus Dejean—(4); CP, GF; hp, mt; 10
Apr-16 May, 8 Jun; PRG 1907; turf grass hanging over
concrete; rocky non-tidal shore with gravel, silt and
driftwood.

Stenolophus lecontei (Chaudoir)-(5); DM, GF, TR; bl,
hp, mt; 18 Apr-31 May, 2-18 Jul, 15 Oct; sandy non-
tidal beach under driftwood; attracted to light on

STEURY & MESSER: GROUND BEETLES 51

building.

Agonoleptus conjunctus (Say)-(27); CP, GF, TR; bs,
hp, mt; 14 Mar-30 Jun, 18 Sep-21 Oct; rich woods
under log; riverside prairie; turf grass over concrete.
A subteneral specimen was collected on 2 June 2012.

*!Agonoleptus rotundatus (LeConte)—(7); CP, DM,
GF; hp, mt; 1-20 May, 26-29 Sep, 7 Nov; turf grass
duff; non-tidal shore with sand and mud.

Agonoleptus rotundicollis (Haldeman)—(5); DM, TR;
bf, mt; 10 Apr-20 May; PRG 1908. This species was
first reported from Virginia by Bousquet (2012) without
further details. Roble & Hoffman (2012) listed it from
Cumberland and Rockingham counties and we add
Fairfax County to the known Virginia range.

*!Bradycellus nigriceps LeConte-(1); TR; mt; 19-30
Jun.

Bradycellus rupestris (Say)-(5); GF, PH, TR; bl, hp;
mt; 1 May-23 Jun.

*!Bradycellus tantillus (Dejean)—(7); DM, GF; hp, mt;
20 May-9 Aug; non-tidal shore with sand and mud.
This species was first reported from Virginia by
Hoffman (2010).

Bradycellus atrimedeus (Say)—(5); GF, PH, RI; hp; 17
Apr-17 Jun; sandy, silty, tidal shore under sticks; sandy
tidal shore under drifwood; non-tidal shore with sand
and mud.

Bradycellus badipennis (Haldeman)—(1); GF; mt; 10-30
Apr.

*lAcupalpus pumilus Lindroth—(1); GF; mt; 10-30 Apr.
This species was first reported for Virginia by Bousquet
(2012). It is near its known southern limit in northern
Virginia. It has not been recorded in Maryland but is
known from West Virginia and Delaware. The species
should be considered for state listing because of its
rarity in Virginia.

*lAcupalpus indistinctus Dejean—(3); DM, TR; hp, mt;
30 May-20 Jun; silty gravel bar in river.

Acupalpus pauperculus Dejean—(1); GF; bs; 24 Jun.
This species was previously reported for Virginia by
Hoffman et al. (2006) and Evans (2008; based on the
specimen cited here).

Acupalpus testaceus Dejean—(5); GF, TR; bl, hp, mt; 20
May-23 Jun; non-tidal shore with cobble, silt, and
driftwood; non-tidal shore on sand and mud. Previous
records from the Potomac River Gorge were limited to
a single capture in 1910, until Evans (2008) reported it
during the Potomac Gorge Bioblitz.

Philodes rectangulus (Chaudoir)—(2); DM; mt; 6-20
Jun, 26 Sep. This species was first recorded for Virginia
by Hoffman & Roble (2000).

Harpalus vagans LeConte-(7); GF, TR; hp; 19-25 Jun,
29-30 Aug; woodland edge under coverboard; turf grass
near woods under board.

Harpalus pensylvanicus (DeGeer)—(25); CP, FH, GF,
TR; bl, hp, mt; 6 Jun-26 Oct; under coverboard at edge
of woods; turf grass under board; rich woods under log;
in building. Evans (2008) recorded the first Potomac
River Gorge record of this common, gregarious beetle
since 1932. It was observed mating in Fort Hunt Park
on 19 September 2012.

*!0Harpalus affinis (Schrank)—(6); DM, FH, RI; hp, mt;
8-23 May, 19-23 Sep; in building; in turf grass; in
spider web; on concrete plaza.

t*l0Harpalus rubripes (Duftschmid)—(1); GF; hp; 20
May; under leaf litter on parking lot curb. This is the
southernmost station known in North America for this
European beetle. The first North American specimen
was collected in New Hampshire in 1981. It has since
been documented from Nova Scotia to eastern
Pennsylvania (Bousquet, 2012), and now northern
Virginia.

Selenophorus opalinus (LeConte)—(16); DM, GF; bf, bl,
hp, mt; 14 Apr-7 Sep; PRG 1907; under oak leaf litter
in open gap on rock outcrop above river; leaf litter near
water.

Trichotichnus autumnalis (Say)—-(20); AW, DM, FM,
GF, PH, RI, TR; bf, hp, If, mt; 10 Apr-20 May, 23 Jul-8
Aug, 19-21 Oct; leaf litter in woods; sandy tidal beach
under driftwood; in debris of rotting stump.

Trichotichnus fulgens (Csiki)—(13); CM, CP, DI, DM,
FH, FM, GF, TR; bf, hp; 19 Mar-20 Jun, 30 Aug-13
Sep; under oak leaf litter on rock outcrop above river;
woodland edge under log; under rock in woods; dry turf
grass; in building.

52, BANISTERIA

Cratacanthus dubius (Palisot de Beauvois)—(6); FH; hp;
27 Jun, 19 Sep; under tuft of Digitaria sanguinalis (L.)
Scop. in dirt infield of baseball diamond; in building.

SPHODRINI

*!Calathus opaculus LeConte-(1); GF; bs; 14 Apr;
riverside prairie.

Synuchus impunctatus (Say)-(1); TR; pf; 2-16 Jun;
PRG 1905.

PLATYNINI

Rhadine caudata (LeConte)—(10); GF, TR; hp, pf; 11
Apr-6 Oct; PRG 1919; under coverboard at edge of
woods; in building.

Agonum ferreum Haldeman—(11); DM, GF, PH, TR; bf,
hp, mt; 17 Apr-26 Jun; rich woods under log; leaf litter
near pond; under rock at trail edge in woods; creek
mouth with rock, cobble, sand, and silt; muddy tidal
shore under vegetative debris.

Agonum excavatum Dejean—(5); GF, TR; hp, mt; 10
Apr-30 May, 29 Aug; sandy non-tidal beach with silt
cakes and sparse vegetation.

Agonum extensicolle (Say)—(20); CP, DM, GF, JP, RI,
RP, TR; hp, mt, pf; 10 Apr-23 Jun, 6-25 Sep; sandy
cobble tidal beach with Schoenoplectus; sandy tidal
shore; tidal shore under log; rocky non-tidal shore;
rocky non-tidal shore with sand and silt; turf grass
under log.

Agonum melanarium Dejean—(4); GF; mt, pf; 10-30
Apr, 24 Aug-8 Sep.

*!Agonum moerens Dejean—(1); GF; bl; 28 Jun.

Agonum aeruginosum Dejean—(1); DM; mt; 19-28
Apr.

Agonum Sstriatopunctatum Dejean—(1); CP; hp; 27 May;
turf grass.

Agonum octopunctatum (Fabricius)—(1); DM; mt; 7-19
Jul.

!Agonum punctiforme (Say)-(55); AW, CM, CP, DI,
DM, FH, GF, PH, RI, TR; bf, hp, mt; 11 Mar-30 Jun,
27 Aug-21 Nov; woodland edge under coverboard;
woods under log along trail; rocky non-tidal shore on

NO. 43, 2014

sand and silt; tidal shore, silty sand under driftwood and
leaf litter; dry vernal pool under log; under thin soil
over concrete; weedy turf grass under board near water;
tuff grass under log; under log at edge of small
agricultural field; in building. A teneral specimen was
captured on 11 June 2012.

Platynus decentis (Say)—(20); CM, FM, GF, LH, TR;
bf, pf, hp; 11 Mar-29 Jun, 16-19 Oct; under loose bark;
on tree trunk at night; leaf litter in woods; in rotting
pine log.

+!Platynus opaculus LeConte—(1); DM; mt; 21 Nov-5
Dec. This species has not been recorded from
Maryland, North Carolina, or West Virginia. The
nearest documented states are Pennsylvania (Bousquet,
2012) and South Carolina (Ciegler, 2000; one
specimen). A report of this species from the Potomac
River Gorge, without reference to state record status, by
Evans (2008), and cited by Roble & Hoffman (2012), is
based on a misidentified specimen of P. decentis.

Platynus tenuicollis (LeConte)—-(27); GF, TR; hp, mt;
10 Apr-30 Jul; PRG 1912; under bark.

Platynus cincticollis (Say)—(23); DM, GF, TR; bl, mt,
hp; 10 Apr-26 Sep; rocky non-tidal shore with sand and
gravel; shore with silty sand under rock; non-tidal shore
with cobble, silt, and driftwood.

PERIGONINI

*!0Perigona nigriceps (Dejean)(2); TR; bl; 15 Oct.
This non-native species was first documented from
Virginia by Hoffman & Roble (2000). This is the first
record for Fairfax County.

ATRANINI

Atranus pubescens (Dejean)-(1); RP; hp; 11 May;
under driftwood on tidal beach with sand and cobble.

ODACANTHINI
Colliuris pensylvanica (Linnaeus )—(1); GF; bs; 24 Jun.

!Colliuris ludoviciana (Sallé)—(1); DM; hp; 15 May;
gravelly, tidal beach on Schoenoplectus pungens.

CTENODACTYLINI

!Leptotrachelus dorsalis (Fabricius)—(9); DM; mt; 10-
17 May, 16 Jul-28 Aug.

STEURY & MESSER: GROUND BEETLES 53

CYCLOSOMINI

Tetragonoderus fasciatus (Haldeman)-(8); GF, PH,
TR; bl, hp, mt; 1 May-17 Jun, 9 Sep; under leaf litter on
dry sand bank along river; dry, bare sand on bank of
river; tidal shore on silty sand. Small colonies of T.
fasciatus were observed to be active during the day in
mottled sunlight on dry sand banks along the river.

LEBINI

Phloeoxena signata (Dejean)-(4); GF, TR; mt; 21 May-
17 Jul. This species was first reported for Virginia by
Hoffman (1997) and for the Potomac River Gorge,
where it reaches its northern limit, by Steiner & Erwin
(2007).

Coptodera aerata Dejean—(10); GF, LH; If, mt; 1 May-
26 Jul; PRG 1922.

Cymindis limbata Dejean—(4); GF; hp, mt; 14 Apr, 31
Jul-17 Aug; PRG 1917; on shrub.

*!Cymindis platicollis (Say)-(7); GF; mt; 10 Apr-20
May.

Apenes lucidula lucidula (Dejean)—(2); TR; bl, hp; 13
Mar, 18 Jun; in building.

*!Apenes sinuata (Say)—(1); TR; bl; 18 Jun.

t!Microlestes pusio (LeConte)—(2); CP; hp; 20 May, 30
Aug; turf grass overhanging concrete. This minute
carabid (2.4-2.7 mm) has a known range from southern
Ontario, west to eastern South Dakota, and south to
eastern Texas, Mississippi, and Tennessee (Bousquet,
2012). Records from the East Coast have only been
documented from New York; it has also been found in
Pennsylvania.

*lApristus latens (LeConte)—(1); TR; hp; 14 May; dry,
sandy riverbank.

Lebia grandis Hentz—(1); GF; bl; 12 Jul. Evans (2008)
recorded the first record for this beetle from the
Potomac River Gorge since 1924 on Bear Island,
Maryland.

Lebia analis Dejean—(2); DM, GF; bl, mt; 20 Jun, 12-26
Sep; PRG 1930.

Lebia lobulata LeConte—(6); AW, GF, TR; bf, bl, mt;
15 Apr-17 May, 3-17 Jul, 19 Sep-21 Oct; leaf litter in
woods.

Lebia ornata Say—(4); GF, TR; bl, mt; 25 May-30 Jun.
Evans (2008) documented the first record of this
species in the Potomac River Gorge since 1913.

Lebia viridipennis Dejean—(22); GF, TR; bl, mt; 1 May-
21 Jul. Evans (2008) reported the first record of this
species in the Potomac River Gorge since 1930.

Lebia viridis Say—(19), DM, GF, TR; bl, hp, mt; 10
Apr-20 Jul, 3 Oct; on Solidago bicolor L.; on
Taraxacum officinale Weber; attracted to light on
building.

Lebia solea Hentz—(6); GF, TR; bl, mt; 21 May-21 Jul;
PRG 1930.

Plochionus timidus Haldeman-(1); GF; hp; 15 Jan;
PRG 1924; under loose bark of dead standing Quercus
coccinea Minchhausen.

Calleida viridipennis (Say)(5); GF, TR; bl, mt; 1-22
May, 21 Jul.

GALERITINI

Galerita bicolor (Drury)—(9); GF, RI, TR; bf, hp, mt,
pf; 24 Mar-4 Aug; under bark of fallen log; inside loose
wood of rotting log; leaf litter in woods.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We are gratefully indebted to Glenn Curtis, Mary Jo
Detweiler, Marilyn Greene, Julie Heminway, Melanie
LaForce, Alex Luxon, Erin Minnick, Mireya Pasa,
Christine Camp-Price, Cheryl Rash-Jones, Jessica
Roberts, Lynn Scholz, Suzanne Updike, and Jane
Whitaker for diligently sorting beetle specimens from
Malaise trap samples. David Smith and Edd Barrows
collected numerous new park records in Malaise traps
run in Turkey Run and Great Falls parks and at Dyke
Marsh, respectively. Steve Lingafelter, Deblyn Mead,
Chris Wirth, Cristina Francois, and Norm Woodley
contributed specimens during the 2006 Potomac Gorge
Bioblitz. Art Evans, Warren Steiner, John Brown, Ray
Fisher, Ashley Dowling, Mike Krarla, and Ian Steury
collected many carabids from GWMP during arthropod
inventories between 2007 and 2012. We are especially
grateful for the assistance of Erik Oberg, who organized
volunteer beetle sorters and much of the field work
associated with this project. David R. Maddison,
authority on Bembidion, kindly confirmed our
specimens of B. antiquumand B. honestum, and
determined B. rothfelsi by external examination. Yves
Bousquet, authority on Carabidae, determined our one

54 BANISTERIA

female specimen of Notiobia nitidipennis.
LITERATURE CITED

Allen, R.T. 1972. A revision of the genus Loxandrus
LeConte (Coleoptera: Carabidae) in North America.
Entomologica Americana 46: 1-184.

Anderson, J.M., J.C. Mitchell, A.A. Hall, & RL.
Hoffman. 1995. Ground beetles (Coleoptera:
Carabidae) from Quantico Marine Corps Base,
Virginia. Banisteria 6: 3-16.

Ball, G.E. & Y. Bousquet. 2001. Carabidae Latreille,
1810. Pp. 32-132 In R.H. Arnett, Jr. & M.C. Thomas
(eds.), American Beetles. Volume I. Archostemata,
Myxophaga, Adephaga, Polyphaga: Staphyliniformia.
CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL.

Bousquet, Y. 1996. Taxonomic revision of Nearctic,
Mexican, and West Indian Oodini (Coleoptera:
Carabidae). Canadian Entomologist 128: 433-537.

Bousquet, Y. 2010. Illustrated Identification Guide to
Adults and Larvae of Northeastern North American

Ground Beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae). Pensoft,
Sofia-Moscow. 562 pp.
Bousquet, Y. 2012. Catalogue of Geadephaga

(Coleoptera, Adephaga) of America, north of Mexico.
ZooKeys 245: 1-1722.

Bousquet, Y. & A. Larochelle. 1993. Catalogue of the
Geadephaga (Coleoptera: Trachypachidae, Rhysodidae,
Carabidae including Cicindelini) of America north of
Mexico. Memoirs of the Entomological Society of
Canada 167: 1-397.

Bousquet, Y., & P.W. Messer. 2010. Redescription of
Stenolophus thoracicus Casey (Coleoptera, Carabidae,
Harpalini), a valid species. ZooKeys 53: 25-31.

Brown, J.W. 2008. The invertebrate fauna of Plummers
Island, Maryland. Contribution XXX to the Natural
History of Plummers Island, Maryland. Bulletin of the
Biological Society of Washington 15: 1-226.

Ciegler, J.C. 2000. Ground beetles and wrinkled bark
beetles of South Carolina (Coleoptera: Geadephaga:
Carabidae and Rhysodidae). Biota of South Carolina.
Volume I. Clemson University, Clemson, S.C. 149 pp.

Cohn, J.P. 2004. The wildest urban river: Potomac
River Gorge. BioScience 54: 8-14.

NO. 43, 2014

Davidson, R.L. 1995. First Virginia records for ten
species of Carabidae (Coleoptera). Banisteria 5: 16-19.

Downie, N.M., & R.H. Arnett, Jr. 1996. The Beetles of
Northeastern North America. Volume I. Sandhill Crane
Press, Gainesville, FL. 880 pp.

Erwin, T.L. 1981. Natural History of Plummers Island,
Maryland, XXVI. The ground beetles of a temperate
forest site (Coleoptera: Carabidae): An analysis of
fauna in relation to size, habitat selection, vagility,
seasonality, and extinction. Bulletin of the Biological
Society of Washington 5: 104-224.

Erwin, T.L. 1991. Natural history of the carabid beetles
at the BIOLAT Biological Station, Rio Manu, Pakitza,
Peru. Revista Peruana de Entomologia 33: 1-85.

Evans, A.V. (ed.). 2008. The 2006 Potomac Gorge
Bioblitz. Overview and results of a 30-hour rapid
biological survey. Banisteria 32: 3-80.

Evans, A.V. 2009. The forest caterpillar hunter,
Calosoma sycophanta, an Old World species confirmed
as part of the Virginia beetle fauna (Coleoptera:
Carabidae). Banisteria 34: 33-37.

Hoffman, R.L. 1997. Phloeoxena signata (Dejean),
another southern ground beetle discovered in Virginia.
Banisteria 10: 30-31.

Hoffman, R.L. 1998. On the occurrence of several
species of pterostichine ground beetles in Virginia
(Carabidae: Pterostichini). Banisteria 12: 36-40.

Hoffman, R.L. 2010. Ground beetles from Quantico
Marine Corps Base: 2. Thirty additional species from
recent collections (Coleoptera: Carabidae). Banisteria
36: 20-24.

Hoffman, R.L., & S.M. Roble. 2000. Fourteen ground
beetles new to the Virginia fauna. Banisteria 16: 36-41.

Hoffman, R.L., S.M. Roble, & R.L. Davidson. 2006.
Thirty ground beetles new to the fauna of Virginia, and
a milestone (Coleoptera: Carabidae). Banisteria 27: 16-
30.

Knisley, C.B., & T.D. Schultz. 1997. The Biology of
Tiger Beetles and a Guide to the Species of the South
Atlantic States. Virginia Museum of Natural History
Special Publication 5. Martinsville, VA. 210 pp.

Larochelle, A., & M.C. Lariviere. 2003. A Natural

STEURY & MESSER: GROUND BEETLES 52)

History of the Ground-Beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae)
of America North of Mexico. Pensoft Publishers, Sofia-
Moscow. 583 pp.

Lobl, I. & A. Smetana. 2003. Catalogue of Palaearctic
Coleoptera. Volume I. Apollo Books, Stenstrup,
Denmark. 819 pp.

Maddison, D.R. 2008. Systematics of the North

American beetle subgenus Pseudoperyphus
(Coleoptera: Carabidae: Bembidion) based upon
morphological, chromosomal, and molecular data.

Annals of the Carnegie Museum 77: 147-193.

Mani, M.S. 1968. Ecology and Biogeography of High
Altitude Insects. Dr. W. Junk b.v. Publishers, The
Hague, The Netherlands. 527 pp.

Matthews, J.V. 1979. Late Tertiary carabid fossils from
the Alaska and the Canadian Archipelago. Pp. 425-445
In T.L. Erwin, G.E. Ball, D.R. Whitehead, & A.L.
Halpern (eds.), Carabid Beetles: Their Evolution,
Natural History, and Classification. Proceedings of the
First International Symposium of Carabidology,
Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., August 21,
23, and 25, 1976. Dr. W. Junk b.v., Publishers, The
Hague, The Netherlands.

Matthews, J.V., & A. Telka. 1997. Insect fossils from
the Yukon. Pp. 911-962 In H.V. Danks & J.A. Downes
(eds.), Insects of the Yukon. Biological Survey of
Canada (Terrestrial Arthropods). Ottawa.

Roble, S.M. 2013. Natural heritage resources of
Virginia: rare animal species. Natural Heritage
Technical Report 13-05. Virginia Department of
Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural
Heritage, Richmond, VA. 46 pp.

Roble, S.M., & R.L. Hoffman. 2012. New and
additional records of ground beetles and wrinkled bark
beetles for Virginia (Coleoptera: Carabidae,
Rhysodidae). Banisteria 40: 42-48.

Staines, C.L., & S.L. Staines. 2011. The Carabidae
(Insecta: Coleoptera) of Eastern Neck National Wildlife
Refuge, Maryland. Banisteria 38: 71-84.

Steiner, W.E., Jr., & T.L. Erwin. 2007. Phloeoxena
signata (Dejean): northern range extensions to
Maryland and Tennessee, U.S.A., and the first record
for Costa Rica (Coleoptera: Carabidae). Coleopterists
Bulletin 61: 224-226.

Steury, B.W. 2011. Additions to the vascular flora of
the George Washington Memorial Parkway, Virginia,
Maryland, and the District of Columbia. Banisteria 37:
3-20.

Steury, B.W., G.P. Fleming, & M.T. Strong. 2008. An
emendation of the vascular flora of Great Falls Park,
Fairfax County, Virginia. Castanea 73: 123-149.

Stork, N.E. 1984. Additions to the list of Carabidae
(Coleoptera) in the fauna of Plummers Island,
Maryland. Coleopterists Bulletin 38: 137-141.

Banisteria, Number 43, pages 56-69
© 2014 Virginia Natural History Society

Ichthyofaunal Survey of Tributaries of the
Appomattox River System, Virginia, 1986-87

Mitchell D. Norman

15287 Burnt Mills Lane
Windsor, Virginia 23487-6345

Ron Southwick

Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries
P.O. Box 11104
Richmond, Virginia 23230-1104

ABSTRACT

An extensive survey of the fish fauna of tributaries of the Appomattox River system, Virginia was conducted
during 1986-87. A total of 81 collections was made, including two in the mainstem of the system. We collected
17,210 fish representing 11 families, 35 genera, and 55 species. Two species (Notropis volucellus, Mimic Shiner;
and Moxostoma cervinun, Blacktip Jumprock) were new records for the Appomattox system. Three species
(Notropis bifrenatus, Bridle Shiner; Anguilla rostrata, American Eel; and Acantharchus pomotis, Mud Sunfish) are
listed as Species of Greatest Conservation Need. A limited sport fishery was determined for 13 species.

Key words: Appomattox River, fish survey, habitat.

INTRODUCTION

We conducted an extensive survey of the fish fauna
in tributaries of Virginia’s Appomattox River system
during 1986-87 to ascertain species composition and
relative abundance for the purpose of inventorying
species present and assessing the sport fishery. The
objective of this survey was to target the tributary
streams (generally first and second order). All but two
of the collections were on tributary streams. Relatively
little was known about the fish fauna in the Appomattox
system prior to this survey. The Fish and Wildlife
Information System (FWIS) of the Virginia Department
of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF) shows 12 fish
collection series for the Appomattox system prior to
1986. These collections were made from 1935-1983.
Apparently the results of most of the collections were
not published.

STUDY AREA

The Appomattox River is a major tributary of the
James River in central Virginia. From its source in

northeastern Appomattox County, the Appomattox
River flows generally southeastward to Farmville where
it makes a large arc northeastwardly and _ then
southeastwardly passing through Petersburg to
Hopewell, where it merges with the James River. The
Appomattox River originates in the Piedmont Foothill
Zone subprovince, passes through the Piedmont
Lowlands subprovince, and merges with the James
River in the Coastal Plain. Jenkins & Burkhead (1994)
reviewed in detail the characteristics of these
physiographic regions with discussion including
topography, soil types, and stream hydrology. The
Appomattox River is about 258 rkm in length (Jenkins
& Burkhead, 1994), dropping in elevation from 115.8 m
at its source to 1 m at its confluence with the James
River (Fry et. al., 2011). The watershed area is about
3,481 km’. Discharge at the Matoaca U.S.GS. gaging
station, situated in Chesterfield County about 4.8 km
downstream of the Brasfield Dam, averages 38.66 m/s.
The Appomattox River watershed is 42.4% deciduous
forest, 18.1% evergreen forest, 4.1% mixed forest,
16.8% pasture hay, and 1.8% cultivated crop (Fry et.
al., 2011).

NORMAN & SOUTHWICK: APPOMATTOX RIVER FISH SURVEY

Four dams of greatly varied age, height, and
condition are present on the lower Appomattox River.
History and structural characteristics of these dams are
reviewed by EA Engineering, Science, and Technology,
Inc., 2012. The farthest downstream is Harvell Dam,
located at the Great Falls of the Appomattox about 100
m upstream of the head of tide and situated between VA
Rt. 36 and US Rt. 1. The dam was reportedly built
about 1856. It is about 3 m high, effectively preventing
upstream fish passage. To satisfy a requirement of the
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, a Denil
fishway was built in 1998 which allowed some fish
passage until the hydropower facility ceased operation
in 2004. About 1 km upstream of Harvell Dam is
Battersea Dam, which is about 3.1 m high but
sufficiently breached for fish passage. The Abutment
Dam (2-3 m high) is about 8.2 km upstream of
Battersea Dam. A Denil fishway was built on the
Abutment Dam in 2003, and in 2009, a middle section
of the dam (approximately 33 m wide) collapsed,
eliminating this barrier to fish passage. About 2.1 km

4. Sampling Sites

~\-~— Rivers & Streams w4 E

J1 . s
r,- County Lines

Miles
012 4 6 8 10

Sources;

Rivers and Streams - U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)

County Lines - Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR)
All Other Data - Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (DGIF}

DGIF - Lenee Pennington, GISP; Ed Laube, MENV, GISP - 03/20/2014

So VS LS ge

oct
ros pred yo" .
OO anit z

Sue

5]

upstream of the Abutment Dam is Brasfield Dam (22 m
high) constructed in 1966-67, which impounds Lake
Chesdin (1,254 ha), the only major reservoir in the
system. A fish lift was completed on Brasfield Dam in
2004 in mitigation for the installation of a hydropower
unit in 1993. Brasfield Dam is the farthest upstream
obstacle to fish passage on the Appomattox River.
Approximately 192 km of the river is available for
anadromous fish spawning above this point.

The section of the Appomattox River from Brasfield
to Harvell Dam was designated in 1977 as a Virginia

Scenic River by the Virginia Department of
Conservation and Recreation.
MATERIALS AND METHODS

We made 79 collections between April and August,
1986, all but 15 of these in April and May. Two
additional collections were made on 28 July 1987, for
a survey total of 81 collections. The locations of
collection sites are presented in Figure | and Table 1.

Appomattox River Fish Collection
1986 - 87

s Sy \,
“ o“ ywir \
HSS > )
Kk ) 2>

* Otterda I.
Brag)

7 \ Sot

~ /
i" i= acreek
\
VWF
am

i KR
pS Js i®
ee)

/

f

\.
_yaaag 9290
fn

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Fig. 1. Map of fish collection sites in the Appomattox River system, Virginia, 1986-87.

58 BANISTERIA NO. 43, 2014

Table 1. Appomattox River fishes survey, 1986-87.
# species # fish

Site County Stream Route USGS Topo Map Date collected collected
183 Dinwiddie Whippernock Cr. 708 Church Road 3/04/86 16 67
184 Dinwiddie Whippermock Cr. 627 Church Road 3/04/86 6 8
185 Chesterfield Rita Br. 636 Beach 3/04/86 1 1
186 Chesterfield Second Br. 636 Beach 3/04/86 8 80
187 Chesterfield First Br. 636 Beach 3/04/86 9 29
188 Chesterfield Licking Cr. 636 Beach 3/04/86 12 26
189 Chesterfield Swift Cr. 653 Chesterfield 3/04/86 9 13
190 Chesterfield Rocky Run 653 Beach 3/04/86 3 8
191 Chesterfield Tomahawk Cr. 652 Hallsboro 4/04/86 6 12
192 Chesterfield Little Tomahawk Cr. 652 Hallsboro 4/04/86 4 18
193 Chesterfield Nuttree Br. 652 Hallsboro 4/04/86 12 202
194 Chesterfield Swift Cr. 360 Hallsboro 4/04/86 9 88
195 Chesterfield Horsepen Cr. 667 Hallsboro 4/04/86 2 2
196 Chesterfield Winterpock Cr. 655 Winterpock 4/04/86 3 9
197 Chesterfield unnam. trib. Surline Br. 602 Winterpock 4/04/86 11 91
198 Amelia Namozine Cr. 622 Hebron 8/04/86 8 19
199 Amelia Long Br. 600 Hebron 8/04/86 8 92
200 Amelia Winticomack Cr. 600 Hallsboro 8/04/86 6 12
201 Amelia unnam. trib. Winticomack Cr. 600 Mannboro 8/04/86 7 17
202 Amelia Sweathouse Cr. 682 Wellville 8/04/86 8 24
203 Amelia Spindler's Cr. 615 Wellville 8/04/86 17 5D
204 Amelia Deep Cr. 615 Wellville 8/04/86 8 18
205 Amelia South Buckskin Cr. 640 Jetersville 8/04/86 if 25
206 Amelia N. B. Nibbs Cr. 687 Jetersville 8/04/86 14 112
207 Amelia Little Cr. 642 Jetersville 9/04/86 9 43
208 Amelia Neal's Cr. 642 Jetersville 9/04/86 21 547
209 Amelia Flat Cr. 644 Ballsville 9/04/86 6 13
210 Amelia unnam. trib. Flat Cr. 667 Ballsville 9/04/86 10 88
211 Amelia Nibb's Cr. 681 Amelia Courthouse 9/04/86 12 61
212 Amelia Puckett's Br. 685 Church Road 22/04/86 9 ST.
213 Amelia Horsepen Br. 622 Mannboro 22/04/86 5 12
214 Amelia Beaverpond Cr. 153 Amelia Courthouse 22/04/86 17 103
215 Amelia Sweathouse Cr. 708 Mannboro 22/04/86 2 me,
216 Amelia Smack's Cr. 627 Amelia Courthouse 22/04/86 2 3
217 Amelia Smack's Cr. 628 Amelia Courthouse 22/04/86 14 166
218 Amelia Stock Cr. 644 Cumberland 22/04/86 14 51
219 Amelia Dawson's Cr. 619 Cumberland 22/04/86 16 95
220 Amelia Sayler's Cr. 617 Deatonville 22/04/86 15 148
221 Prince Edward Buffalo Cr. 658 Farmville 23/04/86 10 20
222 Prince Edward Locket Cr. 650 Prospect 23/04/86 14 197
223 Prince Edward Falling Cr. 626 Prospect 23/04/86 7 104
224 Prince Edward Falling Cr. 657 Prospect 23/04/86 7 290
225 Prince Edward Vaughn's Cr. 627 Prospect 23/04/86 13 244
226 Prince Edward Mud Cr. 639 Abilene 23/04/86 10 60
221 Prince Edward S. F. Spring Cr. 664 Abilene 23/04/86 19 130
228 Prince Edward Rice Cr. 647 Hampden Sydney 24/04/86 22 216
229 Prince Edward Evans Cr. 632 Hampden Sydney 24/04/86 21 110
230 Prince Edward Bush R. 633 Keysville 24/04/86 13 95
231 Prince Edward Briery Cr. 665 Hampden Sydney 24/04/86 15 719
232 Prince Edward Little Sandy R. 612 Green Bay 24/04/86 23 263
233 Nottoway Bland Cr. 605 Wellville 19/05/86 15 106
234 Nottoway Woody Cr. 607 Crewe East 19/05/86 10 169
235 Nottoway Winningham Cr. 617 Crewe East 19/05/86 15 221
236 Nottoway Flat Cr. 629 Deatonville 19/05/86 21 405
254 Nottoway Ellis Cr. 628 Deatonville 19/05/86 17 581
238 Prince Edward Bush R. 460 Rice 20/05/86 11 56
239 Prince Edward Sandy R. 460 Rice 20/05/86 13 60
240 Prince Edward Sayler's Cr. 600 Rice 20/05/86 16 477
241 Prince Edward Sandy R. 606 Green Bay 20/05/86 15 115
242 Prince Edward Mountain Cr. 628 Green Bay 20/05/86 19 221
243 Cumberland Bad Luck Br. 600 Rice 20/05/86 17 165
244 Buckingham Ducker Cr. 725 Prospect 20/05/86 7 242
245 Cumberland Green Cr. 600 Rice 21/05/86 11 87
246 Cumberland Tear Wallet Cr. 641 Cumberland 21/05/86 18 178
247 Cumberland Little Guinea Cr. 654 Cumberland 21/05/86 16 43
248 Powhatan unnam. trib. Appomattox R. 681 Ballsville 21/05/86 15 90
249 Powhatan Butterwood Cr. 604 Clayville 8/07/86 14 288
250 Powhatan Skipper's Cr. 603 Clayville 8/07/86 8 66
251 Cumberland Little Guinea Cr. 640 Hillcrest 8/07/86 pa 658
202 Appomattox S. F. Appomattox R. 627 Pamplin 9/07/86 23 736
253 Appomattox Rocky Run 631 Vera 9/07/86 22 1273
254 Appomattox Fish Pond Cr. 614 Holiday Lake 9/07/86 13 274
255 Appomattox Appomattox R. 626 Pamplin 9/07/86 7 228
257 Appomattox Crane Cr. 600 Pamplin 13/08/86 19 475
258 Appomattox Poorhouse Cr. 627 Pamplin 13/08/86 24 958
259 Appomattox Suanee Cr. 619 Pamplin 13/08/86 19 132
260 Prince Edward Harris Cr. 651 Prospect 14/08/86 33 793
261 Prince Edward Vaughn's Cr. 609 Prospect 14/08/86 26 595
262 Prince Edward Sayler's Cr. 619 Rice 14/08/86 26 478
269 Amelia Deep Cr. 612 Mannboro 28/07/87 31 993
270 Amelia Appomattox R. 682 Chula 28/07/87 11 51

NORMAN & SOUTHWICK: APPOMATTOX RIVER FISH SURVEY 59

Most of our sampling was by electrofishing using a
portable 230 volt DC generator with probes and 30 m
cable. Rotenone was used at 21 sites. Seining (15.2 m
minnow seine) was our exclusive sampling method at
one site, and we used both trap nets and seining at
another site. For rotenone sampling, a block net
(minnow seine) was set at the downstream point of the
sample site to prevent fish from escaping and to assist
in fish capture. Sampling effort was intensive. Sample
length at the rotenone sites ranged from 45.7-219.5 m.
Sample length at the electrofishing sites ranged from
24.4-137.2 m.

We made a conscious attempt to collect all fishes
observed in the sampling, with the exception of
American Eels (Anguilla rostrata) which were
sometimes simply enumerated in passing. Individual
fish were identified to species with the exception of
Johnny and Tessellated Darters (Etheostoma nigrum
and E. olmstedi; see species account). For these two
sibling and problematic species, all specimens were
considered Johnny Darter because this species is
generally found above the Fall Line whereas the
Tessellated Darter is generally found in the Coastal
Plain of the James River drainage.

Some fish were identified and enumerated in the
field. However, most specimens were preserved in
formalin (10%) and then stored in ethanol (70%) for
identification in the lab. All fish were measured for total
length (TL) by inch group. Many of the preserved
specimens were taken to Roanoke College where Dr.
Robert E. Jenkins either identified or confirmed the
species identification made by us. A few such specimen
lots were retained at Roanoke College. Almost all of the
collections were stored by VDGIF. Due to storage space
limitation, many of the VDGIF specimens were later
discarded, with the notable exception of the darters and
a few other special interest fishes, which were
deposited with the North Carolina State Museum of
Natural Sciences in Raleigh, NC.

Channel width and stream depth were measured (in
feet) and recorded as averages. Other physical habitat
characteristics were described and subjectively rated as
follows: stream flow — slow, moderate, or swift; fish
cover — poor, fair, good, or excellent (with notations on
type such as macrophytes, undercut banks, brush,
boulders, etc.); aquatic macrophytes — none, sparse,
common, or abundant (with notations on_ type);
substrate — silt, sand, gravel, cobble, boulders, bedrock,
or mud; water clarity — clear, slightly turbid, or very
turbid; and riparian zone — forest canopy, pasture,
agricultural field, etc. Water temperature was
determined with a YSI meter and recorded in degrees
Celsius.

Chemical habitat parameters monitored were
specific conductance, pH, total hardness, and
total alkalinity. Specific conductance was determined
with a YSI meter. The other chemical parameters
were determined with a Hach Water Quality monitoring
kit.

Collection data (with the exception of some habitat
notes) were stored in the FWIS database of VDGIF.

RESULTS
Habitat

Most physical habitat characteristics were fairly
uniform over the entire drainage. For example, of the
81 collection sites, stream flow was rated slow or
moderate at 97.5% (only two sites were rated swift),
water clarity was rated clear or slightly turbid at 88.6%,
and aquatic macrophyte abundance was rated none or
sparse at 96.2%. Fish cover was more diverse: it was
rated fair or good at 62.0% and poor at 29.1% of the
sites; only seven sites were rated excellent for fish
cover. With the exception of the two mainstem sites,
stream width ranged from 1.2— 9.1 m but was generally
within 2.4-4.6 m. Mean stream depth was generally
0.15-0.46 m. Substrate type ran the gamut from silt to
bedrock, with most sites exhibiting several types which
were not quantified.

Of the chemical parameters, specific conductance
ranged from 25 to 130 us/em (x = 73.5 us/cm, SD =
25.35), total hardness ranged from 17 to 68 ppm (x =
37.0 ppm, SD = 12.58); and total alkalinity ranged from
17 to 103 ppm (x = 62.8 ppm, SD = 22.55). In general,
the higher conductivity (>100 us/cm) and alkalinity
(>100 ppm) sites were in the upper part of the system
(notably in Prince Edward, Nottoway, and Buckingham
counties). pH ranged from 6-7.4, with the mode
(78.7%) falling within 6.7-7.2. In general, the more
acidic sites were in the lower part of the drainage.

Water temperature ranged from 11.5° C (24 April
1986, site 230) to 28° C (9 July 1986, site 255). In
general, water temperature was below 20° C until mid-
May. Of the 49 collections made in April, water
temperature was 16° C or less at 31 sites.

Ichthyofauna

Fifty-five species of fish representing 11 families
and 35 genera were collected (Table 2). Individual
species accounts with habitat notes are presented
phylogenetically by family and alphabetically by genus
and species.

60

Table 2. Fish species collected in the Appomattox River system, 1986-1987.

Famil

Anguillidae
Clupeidae
Esocidae
Umbridae
Cyprinidae
Cyprinidae
Cyprinidae
Cyprinidae
Cyprinidae
Cyprinidae
Cyprinidae
Cyprinidae
Cyprinidae
Cyprinidae
Cyprinidae
Cyprinidae
Cyprinidae
Cyprinidae
Cyprinidae
Cyprinidae
Cyprinidae
Cyprinidae
Cyprinidae
Cyprinidae
Catostomidae
Catostomidae
Catostomidae
Catostomidae
Ictaluridae
Ictaluridae
Ictaluridae
Ictaluridae
Aphredoderidae
Poeciliidae
Centrarchidae
Centrarchidae
Centrarchidae
Centrarchidae
Centrarchidae
Centrarchidae
Centrarchidae
Centrarchidae
Centrarchidae
Centrarchidae
Centrarchidae
Centrarchidae
Centrarchidae
Percidae
Percidae
Percidae
Percidae
Percidae
Percidae
Percidae
Percidae

Species

Anguilla rostrata
Dorosoma cepedianum
Esox niger

Umbra pygmaea
Campostoma anomalum
Chrosomus oreas
Clinostomus funduloides
Cyprinella analostana
Exoglossum maxillingua
Hybognathus regius
Luxilus cerasinus
Luxilus cornutus
Lythrurus ardens
Nocomis leptocephalus
Nocomis micropogon
Notemigonus crysoleucas
Notropis amoenus
Notropis bifrenatus
Notropis procne
Notropis volucellus
Rhinichthys atratulus
Rhinichthys cataractae
Semotilus atromaculatus
Semotilus corporalis
Erimyzon oblongus
Hypentelium nigricans
Moxostoma cervinum
Thoburnia rhothoeca
Ameiurus natalis
Ameiurus nebulosus
Ictalurus punctatus
Noturus insignis
Aphredoderus sayanus
Gambusia holbrooki
Acantharchus pomotis
Centrarchus macropterus
Enneacanthus gloriosus
Lepomis auritus
Lepomis gibbosus
Lepomis gulosus
Lepomis macrochirus
Lepomis microlophus
Micropterus dolomieu
Micropterus punctulatus
Micropterus salmoides
Pomoxis annularis
Pomoxis nigromaculatus
Etheostoma flabellare
Etheostoma fusiforme
Etheostoma longimanum
Etheostoma nigrum
Etheostoma vitreum
Perca flavescens
Percina notogramma
Percina peltata

BANISTERIA

Common Name

American Eel
Gizzard Shad

Chain Pickerel
Eastern Mudminnow
Central Stoneroller
Mountain Redbelly Dace
Rosyside Dace
Satinfin Shiner
Cutlip Minnow
Eastern Silvery Minnow
Crescent Shiner
Common Shiner
Rosefin Shiner
Bluehead Chub
River Chub

Golden Shiner
Comely Shiner
Bridle Shiner
Swallowtail Shiner
Mimic Shiner
Blacknose Dace
Longnose Dace
Creek Chub
Fallfish

Creek Chubsucker
Northern Hog Sucker
Blacktip Jumprock
Torrent Sucker
Yellow Bullhead
Brown Bullhead
Channel Catfish
Margined Madtom
Pirate Perch
Eastern Mosquitofish
Mud Sunfish

Flier

Bluespotted Sunfish
Redbreast Sunfish
Pumpkinseed
Warmouth

Bluegill

Redear Sunfish
Smallmouth Bass
Spotted Bass
Largemouth Bass
White Crappie
Black Crappie
Fantail Darter
Swamp Darter
Longfin Darter
Johnny Darter
Glassy Darter
Yellow Perch
Stripeback Darter
Shield Darter

# sites

# specimens

NO. 43, 2014

Mean #
specimens/site

1.33
16.00
2.09
1.93
29.06
21.38
17.92
13.83
9.20
12.38
27.00
42.45
24.94
44.26
20.00
2.81
6.33
2.50
14.90
5.00
20.28
4.20
15.16
22.38
6.76
be
4.00
20.97
2.18
1.93
2.00

NORMAN & SOUTHWICK: APPOMATTOX RIVER FISH SURVEY 61

Family Anguillidae — Freshwater Eels

Anguilla rostrata, American Eel: This was the only
diadromous species found in the survey. It was not
abundant (only 12 specimens collected) and was
generally restricted to the lower portion of the system.
One outlier was found in Falling Creek (site 223) in
Prince Edward County. American Eel is listed as a
Species of Greatest Conservation Need (Tier IV) in the
Virginia Wildlife Action Plan (VDGIF, 2014).

Family Clupeidae — Herrings

Dorosoma cepedianum, Gizzard Shad: Gizzard Shad
was collected at only two sites: Appomattox River
mainstem at the Amelia Wildlife Management Area
(site 270) and lower Deep Creek (site 269). The streams
at both sites were relatively large (mean width about
12.2 m), which is preferred habitat for Gizzard Shad
compared with small tributaries. Since the vast majority
of sampled sites were small tributaries, the scarcity
of Gizzard Shad in the survey was expected. All
specimens were adults ranging from 7-11 inches TL.

Family Umbridae — Mudminnows

Umbra pygmaea, Eastern Mudminnow: The Eastern
Mudminnow was found at 14 sites, mostly in the central
part of the system. The species was never abundant;
most sites yielded a single specimen. At sites yielding
higher numbers, habitat characteristics in common
included: relatively small stream (mean width and
depth of 2.4 m and 15 cm); substrate of sand, gravel,
and cobble; abundant fish cover; and pH 7.0.

Family Cyprinidae — Minnows

Campostoma anomalum, Central Stoneroller: This
species was fairly common but restricted to the upper
system. Most stations yielded <15 specimens with the
notable exceptions of Crane Creek (site 257),
Poorhouse Creek (site 258), and Rocky Run (site 253),
which collectively yielded 79.1% of the total
specimens. The high count at these sites was
undoubtedly influenced by the sampling method
(rotenone) and survey length (76-134 m). The substrate
at all three sites was very silty, suggesting a high
turbidity tolerance by this species. Habitat character-
istics common at each site were: riffle/run habitat with
pools to 0.8 m depth; fish cover fair to good; and pH
slightly alkaline (7.1-7.4). Each site was fully canopied,
which had a noticeable influence on water temperature
(20.0° C on August 13).

Chrosomus oreas, Mountain Redbelly Dace: This dace
was fairly common and widely distributed in the upper
and middle system. It was generally associated with
Blacknose and Longnose Daces. Habitat characteristics
at the five sites with the higher counts (>50 fish/site)
included: stream width, 1.5-3 m; water clarity either
clear or slightly turbid; substrate of sand/gravel/cobble;
flow either slow or moderate; fish cover fair to
excellent; and pH 6.9-7.2.

Clinostomus funduloides, Rosyside Dace: This minnow
was collected at 38 sites widely dispersed in the system
but was more concentrated in the upper portion.
Although the total number of specimens collected was
relatively high, this species was generally uncommon
with usually <10 specimens collected per site. A notable
exception was Neal’s Creek (site 208) in Amelia
County where 199 Rosyside Dace were collected.
Habitat characteristics at this site were: mostly
riffle/run with pools to 1 m depth; mean stream width
and depth, 2.4 m and 15 cm; moderate stream flow;
substrate of sand/ gravel/cobble; excellent fish cover
(logs, brush, under-cut banks, rocks); slightly turbid
water; neutral pH; and complete forest cover with
beaver dam upstream. Although this species prefers
clear water, it apparently tolerates some turbidity. All
three sites where the Rosyside Dace was most abundant
had slightly turbid water. Rosyside Dace was always
found associated with Blacknose Dace.

Cyprinella analostana, Satinfin Shiner: Another
common cyprinid, 332 specimens were collected at 24
widely distributed sites, but usually with fewer than 10
collected at each site. Notable exceptions were Sayler’s
Creek (site 262) and Deep Creek (site 269), with counts
of 65 and 97, respectively. Sampling method (rotenone)
and survey length were probably factors in determining
the high counts at these two sites.

Exoglossum maxillingua, Cutlip Minnow: The Cutlip
Minnow was collected at only five sites, all in the upper
system (Appomattox and Prince Edward counties). The
species was rare (46 specimens collected) and restricted
in distribution. Two sites (#252, S. Fork Appomattox
River and #253, Rocky Run) collectively yielded 78.3%
of the total specimens. Habitat characteristics at these
two sites included: primarily riffle/run with a few pools
to depth of 0.8 m; substrate of sand/gravel/cobble with
a few boulders; mean stream width and depth 3.6 m and
23 cm; fish cover classified as good or excellent; water
clarity rated clear; stream flow rated slow; and slightly
alkaline pH.

62 BANISTERIA

Hybognathus regius, Eastern Silvery Minnow: This
species was found at 16 sites scattered over the upper
two-thirds of the system. It was relatively uncommon
with usually <10 specimens/site. Two sites (Harris
Creek, #260 and Little Guinea Creek, #251) yielded a
relatively high number of specimens with counts of 34
and 64, respectively. The substrate at Harris Creek was
very silty. Otherwise, there were no distinguishing
habitat characteristics for these two streams.

Luxilus cerasinus, Crescent Shiner: This shiner was
reported from nine sites, all in the upper system.
Previously, it was known from only one site in the
Appomattox system (Holiday Creek just below Holiday
Lake), where it is believed to have been a bait fish
introduction, probably from the Roanoke drainage
(Jenkins & Burkhead, 1994).

Of the nine reported collections, only three (Evans
Creek, site 229; Bush River, site 230; and Appomattox
River, site 255) were confirmed by Jenkins as Crescent
Shiner (voucher specimens for sites 229 and 230 are at
Roanoke College; that Jenkins identified Crescent
Shiner at site 255 is suggested from our notes on the
field sheet). An additional collection at Roanoke
College (Mud Creek, site 226) has three vouchers that
are either L. cerasinus and/or L. cerasinus X cornutus
hybrids (R. E. Jenkins, pers. comm.). Also, one
specimen from site 229 may be a hybrid L. cerasinus x
L. cornutus; it was taken with eight specimens each of
L. cerasinus and L. cornutus.

Crescent Shiners were reported from five additional
collections (using preserved specimens), but the field
sheets are not checked to show that identification was
made or confirmed by Jenkins (as was our routine
practice). Since the specimens were later discarded,
identification cannot be _ verified. These five
“questionable” collections are: Vaughn’s Creek (Co. Rt.
627), site 225; S. Fork Spring Creek, site 227; Fish
Pond Creek, site 254; Crane Creek, site 257; and
Vaughn’s Creek (Co. Rt. 609), site 261.

The Crescent Shiner was uncommon in this survey,
with 243 fish reported. It was most abundant at sites
255 (Appomattox River mainstem) and 261 (Vaughn’s
Creek), where 67 and 95 specimens, respectively, were
taken. Of these two collections, only the Appomattox
River specimens may have been identified by Jenkins.

The habitat at the four sites with confirmed Crescent
and/or hybrid Common Shiners is as follows. Three
sites were either riffle or riffle/run/pool with a few
pools to 0.6 m depth; the other site was essentially a
run. The substrate varied considerably from very
silty/clay to clay/gravel/bedrock to sand/gravel. Mean
stream width and depth ranged from 2.4-6.1 m and 15-
46 cm, respectively. The stream bottom was non-

NO. 43, 2014

vegetated at all four sites. Fish cover was rated fair at
three sites and poor at one. Water clarity was rated clear
at two sites and slightly turbid at two. Chemical habitat
parameters were: pH 7.0-7.2, specific conductance 32—
88 us/cm, total hardness 17-51 ppm, and total alkalinity
51-86 ppm.

Luxilus cornutus, Common Shiner: The Common
Shiner was indeed common with 849 fish collected at
20 sites. This was the second most abundant cyprinid in
the survey. All sites were in the upper half of the
system. Streams with a very high number of Common
Shiners in the sample were South Fork Appomattox
River (site 252), Rocky Run (site 253), and Poorhouse
Creek (site 258), with counts of 93, 186, and 216
fish, respectively. However, these high counts were
undoubtedly influenced by the sampling method
(rotenone) and survey length (128-152 m). Habitat at
these sites was very similar. Rocky Run and Poorhouse
Creek had a heavy small-sediment load, suggesting that
the watershed disturbance had long duration; by
inference, the Common Shiner is turbidity tolerant.
Otherwise, the substrate at both sites was the same:
sand/gravel/ cobble/bedrock (very rocky).

Lythrurus ardens, Rosefin Shiner: This was another
common cyprinid; 424 specimens were collected at 17
sites widely distributed over the system. Generally <10
specimens were taken per site. Exceptions were Harris
Creek (site 260), Rocky Run (site 253), and
Appomattox River (site 255) which collectively yielded
60.1% of the total specimens. Habitat characteristics at
each site included: riffle/run with pools to 0.76 m;
substrate of sand/silt/pea gravel; water clarity rated
clear; and pH 7.1-7.4. The main difference among the
sites was stream width; the Appomattox River (mean
width 6.1 m) was about twice that of the others.

Nocomis leptocephalus, Bluehead Chub: With 2,877
specimens collected at 65 sites, the widely distributed
Bluehead Chub was the most abundant cyprinid in the
survey. It was most abundant in the upper system
(Nottoway, Prince Edward, and Appomattox counties)
where the streams were slightly alkaline (pH 7.1-7.4)
and had higher conductivity (80-102 micros/cm).
Bluehead Chubs were 3-6 inches TL.

Nocomis micropogon, River Chub: River Chub was
collected at only three sites. Two sites (260, Harris
Creek and 261, Vaughn’s Creek) are in the upper
system (Prince Edward County) where the species was
not common (total of seven fish collected). The third
site (269, Deep Creek) is in the lower system (Amelia
County), where the fish was common (n = 53). The

NORMAN & SOUTHWICK: APPOMATTOX RIVER FISH SURVEY 63

only apparent habitat difference is stream size: both
Prince Edward County sites were relatively small
(mean width 3-4.6 m), whereas the Amelia County site
was large (mean width, 12.2 m). However, the
relatively high count at the Deep Creek site was heavily
influenced by a large number of young-of-year (YOY)
fish (51 of the 53 specimens were 0-3 inches TL). River
Chubs ranged up to 8 inches TL.

Notemigonus crysoleucas, Golden Shiner: Found in low
abundance (generally one or two specimens/site) at 16
sites (most in the middle portion of the system), the
Golden Shiner was not common or widely distributed.
Water turbidity and temperature were high at the sites
with the higher counts (due to pasture and/or
agricultural fields bordering the sites), showing that this
shiner is indeed tolerant of these conditions as reported
by Jenkins & Burkhead (1994).

Notropis amoenus, Comely Shiner: The Comely Shiner
was a rare cyprinid in this survey. Collectively, only 19
specimens were taken at three sites, all in the middle of
the system. Two sites (Flat Creek, #236 and
Appomattox River, #270) were each represented by one
specimen; the third site (Deep Creek, #269) yielded 17.
Habitat characteristics in common among the sites
included: slow flow; non-vegetated bottom; substrate
mostly of sand/pea gravel but with some cobble; and
clear water. Specific conductance was relatively high
(112-122 us/cm).

Notropis bifrenatus, Bridle Shiner: This petite cyprinid
was found at only two sites, both in the middle system
(Amelia County). Four specimens were collected in
South Buckskin Creek (Co. Rt. 640; site 205) and one
in North Branch Nibbs Creek (Co. Rt. 687; site 206);
both collections were made on April 8. All five
specimens were identified by Jenkins as documented by
his and/or our notes, but both collections were later
discarded. Habitat at the two streams was similar: mean
width (3-3.7 m) and depth (15-46 cm); slow stream
flow; water turbid; specific conductance, 75-78 us/cm;
pH 6.7-7.1; total hardness, 34-51 ppm; total alkalinity,
51-68 ppm); and water temperature (17.9-18.4° C). The
sites differed considerably with respect to cover and
substrate. Fish cover at Buckskin Creek was rated fair
(brush and abundant macrophytes along the shoreline)
whereas that at Nibbs Creek was poor (little brush and
no macrophytes — basically a sand bar). The substrate at
Buckskin Creek was soft mud; that at Nibbs Creek was
mostly sand and silt with mud. Both sites had been
impacted by watershed disturbances. There had been
some highway construction and forest clearing at
Buckskin Creek. The Nibbs Creek site had a pasture

with agricultural field (row crop) along the sample site.
Bridle Shiner is listed as a Species of Greatest
Conservation Need (Tier I) in the Virginia Wildlife
Action Plan (VDGIF, 2014).

Notropis procne, Swallowtail Shiner: This shiner was
collected at 20 sites scattered over the drainage. It was
uncommon with generally <10 specimens/site. Notable
exceptions were Deep Creek (site 269) and Woody
Creek (site 234), with counts of 89 and 121,
respectively. These high counts are _ probably
attributable to sampling method (rotenone) and survey
length. Habitat characteristics in common included:
slow stream flow, macrophytes absent, water clear, pH
7.2, and _ substrate mostly sand with some
gravel/cobble/bedrock at one site.

Notropis volucellus, Mimic Shiner: Our records of the
Mimic Shiner are the first for the Appomattox system.
Our field notes indicate that Mimic Shiner was
identified from preserved specimens (and __ thus,
probably identified at Roanoke College), but do not
state that the specimens were definitely identified at
Roanoke College. Jenkins (pers. comm.) vaguely
remembers identifying Mimic Shiner from at least one
Appomattox collection. Unfortunately, the specimens
were discarded.

Mimic Shiner was rare and limited in distribution;
10 specimens total were collected at two sites, both in
the upper portion of the system: South Fork Spring
Creek (#227) in Prince Edward County and Flat Creek
(#236) in Nottoway County. Habitat differed between
sites. Spring Creek was swift-flowing over sand/gravel/
cobble and had good cover; it was turbid at the time
sampled. Flat Creek was slow-flowing over sand and
cover was poor; water was clear. pH was comparable
(7.0 and 7.2). Other water quality parameters varied
slightly. Each site had a diverse fish fauna: (Spring
Creek, 19 species; Flat Creek, 21 species). Notropis
volucellus probably is native to the Appomattox system.
It typically occurs in medium-size streams and at least
small rivers north and south of the Appomattox (Jenkins
& Burkhead, 1994). Its distributional status in the
Appomattox should be reconsidered after the system is
well surveyed.

Rhinichthys atratulus, Blacknose Dace: Blacknose
Dace was found at 29 sites, almost all of which were in
the upper half of the system. It was generally
uncommon (<10 collected/site), but there were a few
notable exceptions with counts of >50 fish/site (one site
produced 240 Blacknose Dace). Habitat characteristics
at the four sites with the higher numbers of Blacknose
Dace were: relatively small stream (mean width, 1.8-2.4

64 BANISTERIA

m; mean depth, 15-46 cm), slow to moderate flow,
macrophytes absent, fish cover fair or good, pH 7.0-7.2,
and substrate generally sand/gravel (some bedrock at
one site). However, there were other sites with these
same habitat characteristics which yielded only a few
dace.

Rhinichthys cataractae, Longnose Dace: Longnose
Dace was found at only five sites, all of which were in
the extreme upper portion of the system (Appomattox
and Prince Edward counties). The species was rare (21
fish), nine being the maximum number collected at any
site. Longnose Dace was always found associated with
Blacknose Dace, but the former was generally less
abundant. Habitat at these five sites was mostly
riffle/run over substrate of sand, gravel, cobble, and
bedrock. The pH ranged from 7.1-7.4. There was
almost complete forest canopy at each site. Field notes
for some sites state that the stream looked like a
mountain trout stream! Water clarity was clear at all but
one site which was slightly turbid on the date of our
sample. Apparently there was some major watershed
disturbance upstream which involved destruction of the
forest canopy, as inferred from the relatively high water
temperature (26.5° C on July 9) compared with the
water temperatures at three other sites (20° C on August
13-14).

Semotilus atromaculatus, Creek Chub: Creek Chub was
fairly common and widely distributed in the system. It
was always associated with Bluehead Chub but was
seldom the numerically dominant chub (only 5 of the
37 syntopic sites). Of these five sites, Creek Chub was
considerably more abundant at only one, where its
dominance can be attributed to a much larger number of
small (possibly YOY) fish. Creek Chubs ranged from 3-
6 inches TL. The only habitat characteristics in
common for the three sites yielding the greatest number
of creek chubs were: relatively small stream (mean
width, 1.8-3.7 m; mean depth, 15-46 cm), slightly
alkaline (pH range, 7.1-7.2), and non-vegetated stream
bottom.

Semotilus corporalis, Fallfish: The Fallfish was
collected at 26 sites scattered in the upper two-thirds of
the system. It was generally not common, with usually
<10 specimens collected/site. Notable exceptions were
Harris Creek (site 260), Vaughn’s Creek (site 261), and
Sayler’s Creek (site 262), which collectively yielded
53.8% of the total specimens. Habitat characteristics at
these three sites were: relatively small stream (mean
width, 3-4.6 m; mean depth, 15-46 cm), slow to
moderate flow, substrate of silt/sand/pea_ gravel/
boulders, fish cover generally fair, and pH 6.9-7.1. Two

NO. 43, 2014

of the sites were very silty, suggesting Fallfish are
turbidity-tolerant. Fallfish in the samples ranged from
3-9 inches TL.

Family Catostomidae — Suckers

Erimyzon oblongus, Creek Chubsucker: We collected
Creek Chubsuckers at 38 sites widely scattered in the
entire system and which varied considerably in habitat
characteristics. Where collected, it was relatively
uncommon with <10 specimens at almost all sites with
the exception of Neal’s Creek (site 208) which yielded
98 specimens. An explanation for the high count was
the abundance of juveniles including 45 specimens of
the 0-3-inch class and 26 of the 4-inch class.

Hypentelium nigricans, Northern Hog Sucker: All but
two of 13 collection sites for this species were located
in the upper system. Both outliers were in the lower
portion of the system (Deep Creek). The species was
uncommon; fewer than five specimens were collected
at almost all sites. One site (Rocky Run, #253) yielded
12 specimens; habitat there was riffle/run with pools to
depth 0.8 m. The specimens were 3-10 inches TL.

Moxostoma cervinum, Blacktip Jumprock: The Blacktip
Jumprock was collected at only one site (Neal’s Creek,
#208), which is in the central portion of the system
(Amelia County), and represents the first record for the
Appomattox system. Identification of the species was
confirmed by Jenkins. Blacktip Jumprock is known in
Virginia from the Chowan and Roanoke drainages
(where it is native) and the James and New drainages
(where it is believed introduced) (Jenkins & Burkhead,
1994). The four specimens that we collected included
three of the 0-3-inch class and one of the 4-inch class,
indicating natural reproduction. Habitat characteristics
at the Neal’s Creek site included: relatively small
stream (mean width and depth of 2.4 m and 15 cm,
respectively) with pools to depth 1 m (beaver pond
upstream of the site); slow flow; non-vegetated bottom;
substrate of sand/gravel/cobble; excellent cover; water
slightly turbid; pH 7.0; and complete forest cover.
Water temperature was 13.0° C (April 9).

Thoburnia rhothoeca, Torrent Sucker: Represented by
713 specimens collected at 34 sites, this was the most
abundant catostomid, occurring commonly in the upper
half of the system, sparsely in the mid-section and not
found in the lower. Where encountered, generally <10
specimens were collected/site with the following
notable exceptions: 217 fish at Rocky Run (site 253);
65 at Little Guinea Creek (site 251); 56 at Falling Creek
(site 224); and 52 at Harris Creek (site 260). Habitat

NORMAN & SOUTHWICK: APPOMATTOX RIVER FISH SURVEY 65

characteristics at these sites were generally riffle/run
with pools to 1 m; relatively small (mean width 1.5-3.7
m) and shallow (mean depth 15-30 cm); slow to
moderate flow; substrate of sand/gravel/cobble with
considerable silt at some sites; water clear; and pH 6.9-
7.4. Two of these four sites were very silty. The suckers
were 3-6 inches TL.

Family Ictaluridae — Bullhead Catfishes

Ameiurus natalis, Yellow Bullhead: The Yellow
Bullhead was collected at 17 sites widely scattered over
the system, but was rare with generally only 1-2
specimens collected/site. Specimens ranged from 3-12
inches TL; most were <9 inches TL. The yellow
bullhead was found with brown bullhead at five of the
17 sites. Habitat characteristics varied considerably
among the sites.

Ameiurus nebulosus, Brown Bullhead: The Brown
Bullhead was also found widely scattered over the
system and rare, with generally only one specimen
collected/site. Specimens ranged from 3-9 inches TL,
with most <6 inches. As with Yellow Bullhead, habitat
characteristics varied considerably among the sites.

Ictalurus punctatus, Channel Catfish: This introduced
species was represented by four fish found at two sites,
including the Appomattox mainstem (#270) and Deep
Creek (#269), a major tributary. Channel Catfish have
been extensively stocked in Lake Chesdin, where the
species is now common. The paucity of records in this
survey is undoubtedly due to the species’ habitat
preference for lakes and medium and large rivers. Most
of the streams surveyed in this study are small
tributaries. Since the Channel Catfish stockings in Lake
Chesdin began in the 1970s, it is apparent that the
species will not move into small tributaries. Two adults
(15 and 16 inches TL) were found; the other two were
YOY, showing some natural reproduction in the
mainstem and major tributaries.

Noturus insignis, Margined Madtom: This was the most
abundant ictularid and one of the most abundant species
in the collection. A total of 621 specimens was taken
from 43 sites, which were widely scattered over the
system. Generally <10 specimens were collected at
each site but frequently 20-30 specimens were found.
Streams which yielded the highest number of Margined
Madtoms were Little Guinea Creek (site 251) and Deep
Creek (site 269) with counts of 89 and 193,
respectively. These had riffle/run habitat and pools to 1
m deep. Sampling method (rotenone) and survey length
undoubtedly influenced the high counts, and presence

of a forested riparian zone at each site may have
contributed also by improving the insect forage base
upon which madtoms depend.

Family Esocidae — Pikes

Esox niger, Chain Pickerel: This was the only esocid
collected. It was widely distributed in the system but
never common. Specimens ranged from 3-12 inches
TL, showing some recruitment as well as the presence
of a limited sport fishery.

Interestingly, and contrary to most literature (e.g.,
Scott & Crossman, 1973; Hastings, 1984; Jenkins &
Burkhead, 1994), the abundance of Chain Pickerel was
not directly related to aquatic macrophytes. Of the four
sites where pickerel were most common, aquatic
macrophytes were absent at two, fairly common at one
and abundant at one. At another site with abundant
macrophytes, only one _ pickerel was_ collected.
However, the presence of Chain Pickerel does seem to
be related to the amount of fish cover. Of the 23 sites
where pickerel were found, fish cover was rated fair to
excellent at 18, but poor at only five. Other habitat
characteristics which seem to be favored by Chain
Pickerel include a moderate stream flow and slightly
acidic to neutral pH (6.5-7.0).

Chain Pickerel is the only esocid native to the
Appomattox system. The apparent absence of its close
relative (Redfin Pickerel, E. americanus) in the lower
Appomattox is enigmatic considering its distribution in
drainages north and south of the James drainage
(Jenkins & Burkhead, 1994).

Family Aphredoderidae — Pirate Perches

Aphredoderus sayanus, Pirate Perch: This species was
collected at 52 sites widely scattered over the system,
but it was relatively uncommon with <5 specimens
collected at most sites. Habitat varied considerably.

Family Poecidiidae — Livebearers

Gambusia_ holbrooki, Eastern Mosquitofish: This
livebearer was very rare, with only 19 fish collected at
six sites. It was most common at sites with abundant
aquatic macrophytes (preferred habitat) but was also
found at sites lacking such vegetation, the latter
captures probably representing waifs from vegetated
areas.

Family Centrarchidae — Sunfishes

Acantharchus pomotis, Mud Sunfish: Another rare
species in the survey, 11 Mud Sunfish were found at

66 BANISTERIA

seven sites, all clustered in the lower third of the system
(Amelia County) excepting one site (Rice Creek, #228)
in the upper portion (Nottoway County). Habitat
characteristics were fairly consistent across _ sites:
stream size (mean width typically <2.4 m); stream flow
(generally slow); fish cover (fair to excellent); water
clarity (clear); and pH (acidic, 6.0-6.7). Most of the
Mud Sunfish were of the 0—3-inch class, with a few
specimens up to 6 inches TL, indicating a limited sport
fishery potential. Mud Sunfish is listed as a Species of
Greatest Conservation Need (Tier IV) in the Virginia
Wildlife Action Plan (VDGIF, 2014)

Centrarchus macropterus, Flier: Flier was another very
uncommon centrarchid, with 12 specimens collected
from eight sites scattered across the lower two-thirds of
the system. Habitat characteristics in common included:
stream size (mean width was generally 1.8 m); stream
flow (slow); and aquatic vegetation (absent or very
sparse). The pH was acidic to slightly alkaline (range,
6.2-7.2). Specimens ranged from 3-7 inches TL,
indicating a limited sport fishery potential.

Enneacanthus — gloriosus, _Bluespotted Sunfish:
Bluespotted Sunfish was relatively uncommon; it was
found at 12 sites, generally with <5 fish at each site.
The species was found only in the lower two-thirds of
the drainage, suggesting restriction to that area. Habitat
characteristics varied considerably for most parameters.
Fish cover including aquatic macrophytes varied greatly
between sites and was often scant or absent. Cover was
rated poor at five sites, fair at three, good at two, and
excellent at two, whereas macrophytes were absent at
eight sites, sparse at two, fairly common at one, and
abundant at one. Even at the two sites yielding the most
Bluespotted Sunfish (eight specimens each), habitat
was considerably different (i.e., vegetation was
abundant vs. absent; fish cover was excellent vs. poor;
water clarity was dark vs. clear. The only habitat
parameter that was fairly consistent among the 12
collection sites was stream flow, which we rated slow at
10 sites and moderate at two.

Lepomis auritus, Redbreast Sunfish: This native to the
Atlantic Slope drainages was the most abundant
centrarchid found in the survey. We collected 684 fish
at 45 sites widely distributed over the entire system.
The number collected/site varied greatly. The site
yielding the most Redbreast Sunfish was #269 (Deep
Creek), where we took 143 fish. The length-frequency
distribution at this site was: 0-3-inch class, 86 fish; 4-
inch class, 19; 5-inch class, 20; 6-inch class, 12; and 7-
inch class, 6. This suggests excellent recruitment of the
1987 year class, with growth to 4 or 5 inches by Age-1

NO. 43, 2014

and to 6 or 7 inches by Age-2 or 3. The presence of
harvestable-size fish shows that a sport fishery for
Redbreast existed in these tributary streams.

Lepomis gibbosus, Pumpkinseed: Pumpkinseed was the
third most abundant sunfish collected in the survey; 127
fish were taken from 35 sites scattered over the system
wherein habitat varied considerably. The species was
never common at any one site, with <10 fish
collected/site at all but two sites. The two higher counts
were due to a proliferation of YOY in the sample.

Lepomis gulosus, Warmouth: We collected Warmouth at
17 sites scattered over the entire system but
concentrated in the middle portion. It was uncommon,
with the maximum number collected at any individual
site being five. The over-whelming majority of
Warmouth were YOY. Only two harvestable-size fish
were found (one each 6-inch and 7-inch classes),
indicating that tributary streams function primary as a
nursery area for Warmouth.

Lepomis macrochirus, Bluegill: We collected 406
Bluegill at 45 sites widely scattered over the system,
making it the second most abundant sunfish in the
survey. Generally <10 specimens were collected/site,
but a notable exception was Deep Creek (site 269)
where we took 89 Bluegill. YOY fish were collected at
most sites, showing recruitment throughout the system
in the sampled streams. Harvestable-size Bluegill (up to
7 inches) were collected at several sites, showing a
sport fishery for this sunfish. Habitat characteristics of
collection sites varied considerably. Bluegill is likely
non-native to the James River basin.

Lepomis microlophus, Redear Sunfish: This introduced
sunfish was very rare. We only collected three fish at
two sites (Swift Creek, #194; and Deep Creek, #269),
both relatively large tributaries. A major impoundment
was located immediately upstream of the Swift Creek
site, which could have been the source of the lone
redear (3-inch fish) collected there. The Deep Creek
sample yielded two 9-inch fish, indicating a very
limited sport fishery for Redear Sunfish in the larger
tributaries.

Micropterus dolomieu, Smallmouth Bass: We collected
Smallmouth Bass (another introduced species) at eight
sites, all but one concentrated in the upper system; the
outlier was Deep Creek (site 269) in lower Amelia
County. A total of 47 Smallmouth Bass was collected;
these were up to 15 inches TL. Most specimens
(76.5%) were taken from Rocky Run (site 253).
Harvestable-size fish were collected in Deep Creek,

NORMAN & SOUTHWICK: APPOMATTOX RIVER FISH SURVEY 67

offering a sport fishery for Smallmouth Bass. Habitat at
the collection sites was generally riffle/run with pools
to depth | m; substrate was sand/gravel/cobble. Other
habitat characteristics consistent at the sites included
stream flow (generally slow), fish cover (generally fair
to excellent) and water clarity (generally clear). The pH
was slightly alkaline (7.1-7.4) at every site but one.

Micropterus punctulatus, Spotted Bass: We collected 52
specimens of Spotted Bass at six sites widely scattered
over the system. The species was introduced by VDGIF
into the Appomattox system in 1976-78 with the
following stockings: 4,104 fish on 21 September 1976,
Appomattox County; 3,000 on 20 July 1977, Prince
Edward County; and 3,990 on 18 July 1978, Prince
Edward County. All stockings were YOY fish, generally
2-3.5 inches. The purpose of the stocking was to
establish another sport fish in medium-size Piedmont
streams which offer little sport fishery.

Spotted Bass was the most abundant “black bass” in
the survey. Specimens ranged from 3-13 inches TL. The
collection of harvestable-size fish shows a sport fishery
for Spotted Bass was established in these tributary
streams. YOY fish were collected at four sites,
indicating recruitment. Spotted Bass were found with
Largemouth Bass at one site (Deep Creek, #269) and
with Smallmouth Bass at two sites (Harris Creek, #260;
and Vaughn’s Creek, #261). Where co-existing with the
other two Micropterus species, Spotted Bass was
considerably the more abundant, outnumbering
smallmouth bass 13 to 1 and 17 to 3 at those two sites,
and largemouth bass 16 to 2. Not knowing the
abundance of Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass in
these streams prior to Spotted Bass introduction, one
cannot say that Spotted Bass has displaced its
congeners but it clearly appears that Spotted Bass are
competing successfully in Appomattox tributaries. As
with Smallmouth Bass, Spotted Bass were generally
found in riffle/run habitat with pools to 1 m depth and a
substrate of sand/gravel/cobble. Stream flow at every
site was slow except for one which was moderate. We
rated fish cover as fair at most sites but poor at two
sites. The pH was very close to neutral, ranging from
6.9-7.3.

Micropterus salmoides, Largemouth Bass: Largemouth
Bass, possibly non-native to the system, was found at
nine sites scattered over the system but primarily in the
lower portion. Only 14 specimens were taken which
made it the least abundant “black bass” in the survey.
Total lengths of the bass ranged from 3-9 inches with
the 6-inch class being dominant. The presence of only
subadult fish indicates that these tributary streams are
basically nursery areas for Largemouth Bass. Habitat

characteristics at the collection sites varied considerably
but stream flow (generally moderate), fish cover
(generally fair) and water clarity (generally clear) were
remarkably consistent. The pH ranged from 6.3-7.2,
with about an equal number of acidic and alkaline sites.

Pomoxis annularis, White Crappie: We collected three
specimens (7-10 inches TL) at one site on the
Appomattox River (#270), which was only the second
record for White Crappie in the Appomattox system;
the other was from Lake Chesdin. White Crappie is an
introduced species to East Coast drainages.

Pomoxis nigromaculatus, Black Crappie: Black Crappie
was very rare in the survey; only seven fish were
collected at three sites, all of which had an
impoundment a short distance upstream as likely
sources of these occurrences. Specimens ranged from 3-
10 inches TL, indicating at least a limited sport fishery
in the small streams below impoundments.

Family Percidae — Perches

Etheostoma flabellare, Fantail Darter: This Atlantic
Slope member of the fantail darter complex was the
second most abundant darter. We collected 452 fish at
43 sites widely scattered in the system but mostly in the
upper half. The species was more abundant at upper
system sites. The highest number (94 specimens) was
collected at Crane Creek (site 257), this being related to
the sampling method (rotenone) and survey length (76
m). Habitat characteristics consistent at the sites with
the highest concentration of Fantail Darters included:
riffle/run over sand/gravel/cobble substrate, mean
stream depth 15 cm, almost complete forest cover, and
a very narrow pH range (7.0-7.2). Other habitat
characteristics were variable.

Etheostoma fusiforme, Swamp Darter: We found this
species at 13 sites scattered over most of the system,
with only the extreme upper portion excluded. It was
uncommon; we collected 35 specimens and generally
took <5 specimens/site. It was most abundant at site
197 (unnamed tributary of Surline Branch) in
Chesterfield County, where eight specimens were taken.
Habitat characteristics at this site included: very small
stream (mean width, 1.8 m; mean depth, 15 cm);
primarily riffle (with cobble substrate) but some pools;
moderate flow; no aquatic vegetation; cover fair; clear
water; neutral pH; and complete forest canopy.

Etheostoma longimanum, Longfin Darter: Another rare
species in the survey, we collected 59 specimens at
three sites, all in the extreme upper system. All but two

68 BANISTERIA

were taken at one site (South Fork Appomattox River,
#252). Habitat characteristics at this site included:
mean stream width and depth of 3.7 m and 15 cm;
slow flow; excellent cover; clear water; specific
conductance, 78 ps/cm; total hardness, 51 ppm; total
alkalinity, 68 ppm; pH 7.2; and complete forest canopy.
Our habitat notes for the site indicate the appearance of
a mountain trout stream. The site yielded three other
darters (Johnny, Stripeback, and Fantail), all of which
were also abundant, indicating that it provides excellent
habitat for upland darters. Water temperature at the site
was relatively cool (23.0° C on July 9), due, at least in
part, to the presence of a complete forest canopy. The
other two sites harboring Longfin Darters also had
complete forest canopy and relatively cool water (20.0°
C at each site on August 13 and 14).

Etheostoma nigrum, Johnny Darter (or, E. olmstedi,
Tessellated Darter): This taxonomically complex
species was the most common darter in the survey. We
collected a total of 1,653 specimens at 64 sites widely
scattered in the system, including >50 specimens at 12
sites and >100 specimens at three sites. Habitat
characteristics consistent at the sites where the Johnny
Darter was most common included: relatively small
stream (mean width, 1.2-3.7 m); slow flow; substrate of
sand/pea gravel; and slightly alkaline pH (7.0-7.2). The
relationship between the closely related E. nigrum and
E. olmstedi remains incompletely resolved in Atlantic
Slope drainages (Jenkins & Burkhead, 1994) and many
populations may represent hybrid amalgamations of the
two, including in the Appomattox system.

Etheostoma vitreum, Glassy Darter: The Glassy Darter
was found at 13 sites scattered over the upper two-
thirds of the system but mostly in the upper portion.
Generally <5 specimens were collected/site; notable
outliers to this were sites 262 (Sayler’s Creek, Prince
Edward Co.) and 269 (Deep Creek, Amelia Co.),
yielding 31 and 75 Glassy Darters, respectively. Other
than substrate (sand/gravel/cobble), fish cover (fair),
and pH (6.9-7.2), there was little similarity in habitat
between these two sites which are at almost opposite
ends of the system.

Perca flavescens, Yellow Perch: Yellow Perch was very
rare; eight specimens were collected at three sites,
including two sites (#189 and #194) on Swift Creek and
one (#206) on the North Branch of Nibbs Creek. The
presence of Yellow Perch in Swift Creek is not
unexpected because it joins the Appomattox River
below any mainstem dam and near the confluence with
the James River where Yellow Perch are common. Its
occurrence as a single specimen (7-inch class) in Nibbs

NO. 43, 2014

Creek (above Lake Chesdin) shows that the species has
not reproduced well above Brasfield Dam.

Percina notogramma, Stripeback Darter: This species
was generally uncommon but was found at 30 sites
widely scattered in the upper two-thirds of the system.
Generally <5 specimens were encountered at each site;
the higher counts were from sites 237 (Ellis Creek) and
252 (South Fork Appomattox River). Habitat
characteristics at these sites were: riffle/run over
substrate of sand/pea gravel/cobble, considerable fish
cover, clear water, and slow flow. There was complete
forest canopy at each site.

Percina peltata, Shield Darter: This darter was rare;
we collected 29 specimens at four sites, two each in
the upper and lower system. All but four specimens
were taken at Deep Creek (site 269), the habitat
characteristics of which were previously given.

DISCUSSION

We collected 17,210 fish representing 11 families,
35 genera, and 55 species. Species diversity per site
ranged from | to 33, with 13 sites yielding at least 20
species. The richest sites were: Harris Creek (32
species, #260); Deep Creek (31 species, #269);
Vaughn’s Creek (26 species, #261), and Little Sayler’s
Creek (25 species, #262). The number of fish collected
per site ranged from 1 to 1,273. Sites with the highest
number of fish collected were: Rocky Run (1,273,
#253), Deep Creek (993, #269), Poorhouse Creek (958,
#258), and Harris Creek (793, #260).

Of the 55 species collected, forty-five (82%) are
classified as native to the James River basin; one
additional species (Warmouth) is regarded as native, but
possibly introduced. Six species (Channel Catfish,
Smallmouth Bass, Spotted Bass, Bluegill, White
Crappie, and Redear Sunfish) are classified as
introduced. Three additional species (Crescent Shiner,
Blacktip Jumprock, and Largemouth Bass) are regarded
as introduced, but possibly native in the James
drainage. Crescent Shiner and Blacktip Jumprock are
surely introduced in the Appomattox system. One
species (Longfin Darter) is endemic to the James
drainage. Stripeback Darter is endemic to the Atlantic
slope from the Patuxent drainage in Maryland to the
James drainage of Virginia (Jenkins & Burkhead,
1994). Three species are listed as Species of Greatest
Conservation Need in Virginia — Bridle Shiner (Tier I),
American Eel (Tier IV), and Mud Sunfish (Tier IV)
(VDGIF, 2014).

Two new species records for the Appomattox
system were encountered in this survey. These were

NORMAN & SOUTHWICK: APPOMATTOX RIVER FISH SURVEY 69

Mimic Shiner and Blacktip Jumprock. Two new site
locations within the Appomattox system were
documented for the Bridle Shiner, previously known
from only seven sites. Expansion of the range for
Crescent Shiner (previously known from only one site
in the Appomattox system) was documented. We
determined that Spotted Bass (introduced in 1976-78)
has spread over the entire system and seems to have
partially displaced both Largemouth and Smallmouth
Bass as the dominant “black bass”’.

The catadromous American Eel was the only
diadromous species collected. No shad or herring were
found, showing the effectiveness of dams (notably
Harvell and Brasfield) in halting fish migration farther
upstream. Any shad or herring which might have been
impounded upstream of these dams apparently did not
survive up to the time of our study. Both Blueback
Herring (Alosa_ aestivalis) and Alewife (A.
pseudoharengus) inhabit small streams typical of this
survey, but neither was documented despite
considerable sampling during the period corresponding
to spawning seasons.

Additional species known from tributaries of the
Appomattox River but not collected in this survey are
Notropis rubellus (Rosyface Shiner) and N. hudsonius
(Spottail Shiner) (R. E. Jenkins, pers. comm.). Rosyface
Shiner is known from seven sites extending from just
above Lake Chesdin to the Appomattox headwaters
(Jenkins & Burkhead, 1994). Habitat preference of this
species is typical of many sites sampled in this survey.
Absence of the Rosyface Shiner in our survey is
inexplicable. Spottail Shiner is known from three sites
(each represented by a single specimen) in the extreme
lower portion of the Appomattox system (Jenkins &
Burkhead, 1994). The species’ abundance in the Coastal
Plain is considered usually uncommon or common; it is
found chiefly in large rivers and estuaries. With the
focus of this survey on small to medium-size
tributaries, it is understandable that the Spottail Shiner
could have been missed.

Twenty additional species (representing 16 genera
and nine families) have been reported from the
mainstem of the Appomattox River (Jenkins &
Burkhead, 1994) but were not collected in this survey
due to our focus on tributaries (only two collections
were made on the mainstem).

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Appreciation is extended to Dr. Robert E. Jenkins
(Roanoke College, Virginia) for identification of many
specimens and for his encouragement in this fish
survey. We are indebted to staff members of the
Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries for
their field assistance and preparation of the fish
distribution maps (excluded here but used when writing
the manuscript). We also thank Dr. Wayne Starnes
(North Carolina State Museum of Natural Sciences,
Raleigh, NC) and his staff members Gabriela Hogue
and Bryn Tracy for accepting and cataloging the
thousands of darters collected during this survey.

LITERATURE CITED

EA Engineering, Science, and Technology, Inc. 2012.
Appomattox River Instream Flow (IFIM) Study:
George F. Brasfield Dam to Harvell Dam. Hunt Valley,
MD. 39 pp.

Fry, J.,G Xian, S. Jin, J. Dewitz, C. Homer, L. Yang, C.
Barnes, N. Herold, & J. Wickham. 2011. Completion of
the 2006 National Land Cover Database for the
Conterminous United States. Photographic Engineering
& Remote Sensing 77: 858-864.

Hastings, R. W. 1984. The fishes of the Mullica River, a
naturally acid river system of the New Jersey Pine
Barrens. Bulletin of the New Jersey Academy of
Science 29: 9-23.

Jenkins, R. E., & N. M. Burkhead. 1994. Freshwater
Fishes of Virginia. American Fisheries Society,
Bethesda, MD. 1079 pp.

Scott, W. B., & E. J. Crossman. 1973. Freshwater
Fishes of Canada. Fisheries Research Board of Canada
Bulletin 184. 996 pp.

VDGIF (Virginia Department of Game and Inland
Fisheries). 2014. Wildlife Plans. www.bewildlife.org/
wildlifeplan/. (Accessed March 2014).

Banisteria, Number 43, pages 70-78
© 2014 Virginia Natural History Society

Freshwater Turtles in the Blackwater River
Drainage in Southeastern Virginia

Mitchell D. Norman

15287 Burnt Mills Lane
Windsor, Virginia 23487

Joseph C. Mitchell

Mitchell Ecological Research Service, LLC
P.O. Box 2520
High Springs, Florida 32655

ABSTRACT

We conducted a trapping survey of the freshwater turtles in the Blackwater River (Chowan drainage) located in
southeastern Virginia during 1987 and 1988. We captured 565 turtles representing seven species at 57 sites. These
were (in order of decreasing abundance): Sternotherus odoratus, Kinosternon baurii, Chrysemys picta, Trachemys
scripta scripta, Pseudemys rubriventris, Clemmys guttata, and Chelydra serpentina. Sternotherus odoratus, K.
baurii, and C. picta were relatively abundant and widely distributed throughout the drainage. Chelydra serpentina,
P. rubriventris, and T. scripta were relatively uncommon but the varying catchability of turtles was due to different
trap types and their use prevented us from obtaining a clear understanding of their distribution patterns in the
Blackwater River drainage. Clemmys guttata was found only in small tributaries. The environmental differences
between the upper and lower Blackwater River allow comparative studies of how contrasting abiotic environments
affect the biology of turtles and other animals that inhabit this riverine system.

Key words: Blackwater River, community ecology, turtle ecology, Virginia.

INTRODUCTION

Knowledge of freshwater turtle ecology has been
based largely on numerous studies in lotic habitats,
such as lakes, ponds, and ephemeral wetlands (Bury,
1979; Gibbons, 1990). However, relatively few
thorough studies on the structure of riverine turtle
communities have been published. Of these, most have
focused on assemblages in the Mississippi River
drainage (Moll, 1980; Anderson et al., 2002; Moll &
Moll, 2004; Dreslik et al., 2005). In the southeastern
United States, the structure of riverine turtle
assemblages has been evaluated by mark-recapture
studies in Georgia (Sterrett et. al., 2010) and Florida
(Johnston et al., 2011). Short-term studies focusing on
other topics such as distribution and toxicology have
provided information on turtle assemblages in several
eastern rivers. For example, composition of the turtle

fauna in the South Fork of the Shenandoah River in
Virginia was revealed during sampling to study the
effects of mercury contamination (Bergeron et al.,
2007). Mitchell & Pague (1984) reported the results of
a faunal survey of amphibians and reptiles in
southwestern Virginia that included a list of known
species in the Clinch River. Turtle assemblages in
rivers typically consist of primarily omnivorous species
such as those in the genera Chelydra, Chrysemys, and
Trachemys, as well as herbivores in the genus
Pseudemys, along with a few strict carnivores (e.g.,
Apalone [Softshell Turtles]) in some areas (Moll &
Moll, 2004).

The river systems in Virginia vary in size and most
drain more than one physiographic region. The
Blackwater River is relatively unique because its entire
drainage occurs only in the Coastal Plain (Woodward &
Hoffman, 1991). This region supports a diverse turtle

NORMAN & MITCHELL: BLACKWATER RIVER TURTLES 71

fauna, which is mostly known from studies conducted
in ponds and lakes (Mitchell, 1994). We report herein
the results of the first turtle trapping study to
encompass the entire Blackwater River drainage. Our
study was somewhat limited in scope because of the
limitations of trap styles available to us at the time.
However, we offer it as a baseline for future, more
comprehensive, studies of the freshwater turtle
assemblage in this Coastal Plain river. Norman (1989)
summarized the capture results for 33 stations sampled
in 1987. In this paper, we summarize the results from
the full two-year study and provide distribution maps.

STUDY AREA

The Blackwater River is located in southeastern
Virginia and flows south from its origin in Prince
George County to the Nottoway River at the Virginia
and North Carolina state line (Fig. 1), forming the
Chowan River, a major tributary of the Albemarle-
Pamlico Sound complex. In the vicinity of Isle of Wight
County, the river changes direction (from southeasterly)
and flows almost due south into North Carolina. The
river is the boundary between Sussex and Surry
counties, Southampton and Isle of Wight counties, and
Southampton County and the City of Suffolk. The total
length of the Blackwater River is 169 km and its
watershed encompasses 1,917 km?, most of which is
agriculture, planted pine (mostly Loblolly Pine [Pinus
taeda]), and secondary mixed hardwood forests
(Fleming, 2012). The topography of the watershed is
relatively flat to gently sloping terrain. Much of the
riparian zone along the river is a heavily wooded
floodplain wetland, especially in the upper reach.
Dominant trees include Bald Cypress (Taxodium
distichum), Tupelo Gum (Nyssa_ sylvatica), Water
Hickory (Carya aquatica), Swamp Cottonwood
(Populus heterophylla), Carolina Ash (Fraxinus
caroliniana), Green Ash (F. pennsylvanica), Deciduous
Holly (Ulex decidua), Green Hawthorn (Crataegus
viridis), Red Maple (Acer rubrum), River Birch (Betula
nigra), Overcup Oak (Quercus lyrata), Laurel Oak
(Q. laurifolia), American Persimmon (Diospyros
virginiana), and American Elm (Ul/mus americana).
Numerous debris dams, primarily from fallen trees,
occur in the river from its origin in Prince George
County to just above Franklin in Southampton County
(MDN, pers. obs.). In this area, the forest canopy in the
riparian zone usually covers and shades the entire river.
Below Franklin, the river widens appreciably allowing
exposure away from the forest canopy. In this lower
section, the river has been channelized in three sections
and occasionally cleared of snags for barge traffic to
reach the city from Pamlico Sound. The Blackwater

River is aptly named because the water is dark from
tannic and other organic acids from decaying vegetation
in the swamps.

Water quality in the Blackwater River is typical of
Coastal Plain streams in Virginia. The water is
somewhat acidic (pH generally 5.5-6.5) and relatively
low in total hardness (generally 45-75 ppm). Total
alkalinity is usually 40-70 ppm, specific conductance is
70-160 uSiemens, and dissolved oxygen is 2-4 ppm for
most of the year with highs of 7-10 ppm during the
winter months (Virginia Department of Game and
Inland Fisheries, unpublished data).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We selected 57 trap sites extending from the
middle of Prince George County to below Franklin
(Fig. 1). Twenty-eight of the stations were located on
tributaries of the Blackwater River, 24 were on the
mainstem, and five were located in millponds within
the drainage. We conducted the survey during 6 June-
1 November 1987 and 26 March-27 July 1988.

We captured most of the turtles in handmade traps
(wire traps) made of one inch diameter poultry wire
(76 x 30 x 30 cm) following the design created by
Iverson (1979). Each end of the box trap had a funnel
opening that measured about 3-4 cm high and 15-20 cm
wide. The funnels were flexible to allow turtles to enter
but they also restricted exit. We also used commercial
trap nets (fyke nets) made of one inch (2.5 cm) mesh
nylon netting commonly used in fish population
sampling. Nets had two_ rectangular frames
(approximately 90 x 150 cm) on the anterior end
and 6-8 circular hoops of diminishing diameters
(approximately 50-90 cm), one anterior funnel, and a
lead about 10 m long and 0.76 m tall. These traps were
set perpendicular to the shoreline with the distal end of
the lead attached to vegetation. Turtles moving near the
river’s edge were directed into the trap by the lead.

We sampled most stations (49) exclusively with
chicken wire funnel traps, six stations with trap nets,
and one station with chicken wire traps and trap nets
(Table 1). We captured turtles at one station only by
hand. Sampling effort per station ranged from 5 to 152
trap days (mean = 46.2 d). Traps were not baited. Each
was set in the water with the top above the surface to
prevent drowning of captured turtles. Traps were
generally checked twice per week when all turtles were
removed and identified.

Kinosternon baurii (Striped Mud Turtle) was only
recently determined to occur in southeastern Virginia
(Lamb & Lovich, 1990), having been overlooked
historically due to similarities with K. subrubrum
(Eastern Mud Turtle). Although shell shape was first

ai BANISTERIA NO. 43, 2014

described as being diagnostic (Lamb & Lovich, 1990), 1994). Nomenclature and common names follow
we identified them by the presence of a light bar Crother (2012) for turtles and Weakley et al. (2012) for
between the eye and nostril on each side (Mitchell, plants.

PRINCE
GEORGE

, SUSSEX

\ 4 A
A 37
\ iA 4 39 A:
\ 36
Ye ¢ & A A
26
2 - 35
a, .
a . ‘
/ re =
, A 34
A We . A
28 he
\ ) :
A AAs ” 49 is. A321
SOUTHAMPTON’ 1
234 A4
17 6

LOI LO
PEAT TIED

A. Observation Sites .
Rivers & Streams GB:
ae Virginia Counties S
Kilometers
0 28 4§ 10 15 20

Fig. 1. Location of turtle sampling stations in the Blackwater River drainage, 1987-1988.

NORMAN & MITCHELL: BLACKWATER RIVER TURTLES

Table 1. Location (county), habitat, trap type, and trapping effort at the 57 stations
included in the Blackwater River drainage study, 1987-1988.

Station County Habitat Trap Type No. Trap Days
1 Southampton mainstem wire trap 30
2 Isle of Wight tributary wire trap 30
3 Surry mainstem wire trap AO
4 Surry tributary wire trap 20
5 Surry tributary wire trap 16
6 Surry mainstem wire trap 93
7 Surry-Sussex mainstem wire trap 35
8 Surry-Sussex mainstem wire trap 28
9 Surry-Sussex mainstem wire trap 35
10 Prince George mainstem wire trap 32
11 Prince George mainstem wire trap 28
12 Prince George mainstem wire trap 28
13 Isle of Wight mainstem wire trap 28
14 Isle of Wight mainstem wire trap 21
15 Isle of Wight mainstem trap net 5
16 Isle of Wight mainstem trap net 5
17 Isle of Wight mainstem trap net 5
18 Southampton mainstem trap net 5
19 Southampton tributary wire trap 28
20 Isle of Wight mainstem wire trap pa)
21 Southampton tributary wire trap 34
22 Southampton mainstem wire trap 17
23 Southampton millpond wire trap 12
24 Isle of Wight millpond wire trap 72
25 Suffolk tributary wire trap 8
26 Isle of Wight mainstem wire trap 59
trap net Sy
27 Isle of Wight mainstem wire trap 46
28 Isle of Wight mainstem wire trap 74
29 Isle of Wight mainstem wire trap 18
30 Isle of Wight tributary wire trap 45
31 Isle of Wight tributary wire trap 36
32 Isle of Wight mainstem trap net 32
33 Isle of Wight mainstem trap net 37
34 Isle of Wight tributary wire trap 42
35 Isle of Wight tributary wire trap 54
36 Isle of Wight tributary wire trap 92
37 Isle of Wight tributary wire trap 132
38 Isle of Wight tributary wire trap 137
39 Isle of Wight tributary wire trap 152
40 Southampton tributary wire trap 44
4] Southampton tributary wire trap 24
42 Southampton tributary wire trap 64
43 Southampton tributary wire trap 24
44 Southampton tributary wire trap 29
45 Southampton tributary wire trap 5
46 Southampton tributary wire trap 28
47 Southampton tributary wire trap 54
48 Southampton millpond wire trap 90
49 Southampton tributary wire trap 117
50 Isle of Wight mainstem hand 0
51 Sussex tributary wire trap 48
32 Surry tributary wire trap 38
53 Surry tributary wire trap 102
54 Surry tributary wire trap 48
55 Surry tributary wire trap 72
56 Prince George millpond wire trap 103

57 Sussex millpond wire trap 22

74 BANISTERIA

RESULTS

We captured a total of 565 turtles representing three
families and seven species. In order of decreasing
abundance, these included: Sternotherus odoratus
(Eastern Musk Turtle), 354 individuals (62.7%); K.
baurii, 96 individuals (17.0%); Chrysemys picta picta
(Eastern Painted Turtle), 90 individuals (15.9%);
Trachemys scripta scripta (Yellow-bellied Slider), 10
individuals (1.8%); Pseudemys rubriventris (Northern
Red-bellied Cooter) and Clemmys guttata (Spotted
Turtle), six individuals each (1.1%); and Chelydra
serpentina (Snapping Turtle), three individuals (0.5%).
We captured three species (S. odoratus, K. baurii, C.
picta) throughout the Blackwater River drainage (Figs.
2-4), whereas the remaining four species were captured
at four or fewer stations (Figs. 5-6). Relatively few C.
guttata, C. serpentina, P. rubriventris, and T. scripta
were captured in this study, although all were captured
in both trap types. Capture success is summarized in
Table 2.

Species diversity at individual stations was limited.
We found one species at 19 stations, two species at 19
stations, three species at 15 stations, one site with four
species, and five species at one station. Species
associations included S. odoratus and K. baurii or S.
odoratus and C. picta at 23 stations each; K. baurii and
C. picta at 19 stations; and S. odoratus, C. picta, and K.
baurii at 17 stations. We captured turtles as early as
March 26 and as late as November 1. Capture rate
(#turtles/trap-day) varied considerably among stations
and seasonally. We found no discernible seasonal peak
in numbers captured per unit effort but the capture rate
for all species declined appreciably after August.

We caught turtles at all but two stations (#46,
Warwick Branch and #44, Horsepen Branch, a tributary
of Warwick Branch). Stations with the most turtles
collected (n = 48 each) were #6 (Blackwater River
mainstem at Rt. 31) and #48 (Kello Millpond on

NO. 43, 2014

Lightwood Swamp). Other stations with a high number
of turtles captured were 36 individuals at #3
(Blackwater River mainstem at Rt. 617), 34 at #24
(Lee’s Millpond), and 28 at #21 (Seacock Swamp at Rt.
623).

Overall mean capture rate for all species (using only
the effort for the wire traps) combined was 0.219 per
trap-day. The highest capture rate (1.08 turtles/trap-day)
for any station was #23 (Wade Pond on Black Creek).
In general, stations with higher catch rates were those
on the river mainstem or in millponds. Of the 11
stations with a catch rate >0.5 turtles/trap-day, only two
were on tributaries.

We trapped Sternotherus odoratus at more stations
in this survey (40 of 57) than any other species. It is
widely distributed throughout the drainage (Fig. 2).
They were captured as early as April 3 and as late
as October 18. Average number of S. odoratus captured
per station was 8.9, although as many as 38 individuals
were taken at a single location. Overall capture rate was
0.140 per trap-day. Of the 10 stations with the highest
catch rates (>0.3 turtles/trap-day), eight were either on
the mainstem or millponds. The two tributary stations
with catch rates exceeding ().3 per trap-day were both in
Seacock Swamp, a major tributary.

We trapped Kinosternon baurii at 31 stations
indicating that this species is widely distributed
throughout the drainage (Fig. 3). The number of K.
baurii per station ranged from one to nine and averaged
3.1. Overall capture rate was 0.036 per trap-day. These
turtles were caught as early as April 3 and as late as
October 4, although most were collected in June and
July.

We trapped Chrysemys picta at 30 stations and
numbers ranged from one to ten (mean = 1.6) per
station. Overall capture rate was 0.035 per trap-day. It
was also widely distributed throughout the drainage
(Fig. 4). All captures were between April 5 and October
18, with most taken in June and July.

Table 2. Distribution of capture success by method for freshwater turtles at 57 sites in the Blackwater River drainage.

Species #Sites
Sternotherus odoratus 40
Kinosternon baurii 31
Chrysemys picta 30
Trachemys scripta 2
Pseudemys rubriventris 4
Clemmys guttata 4
Chelydra serpentina 3

Number of trap days
Total 57

Wire trap Trap net Hand Total
344 10 0 354
89 5 2 96
87 3 0 90
10 0 0 10
1 5 0 6
6 0 0 6
2 1 0 3
2463 126
539 24 Z, 565

NORMAN & MITCHELL: BLACKWATER RIVER TURTLES 75

Sternotherus odoratus Kinosternon b ii
n aqurit

5 0 5 10 15 20 Kilometers

= _—7r—F / > 5 — 5 _2? Kliametrg
|

Fig. 2. Distribution of Sternotherus odoratus (Eastern Musk Fig. 3. Distribution of Kinosternon baurii (Striped Mud
Turtle) captures in the Blackwater River, 1987-1988. Turtle) captures in the Blackwater River, 1987-1988.

“ Chelydra serpentina

hrysemys. pl ere * Trachemys scripta

5 0 5 10 15 20 Kilometers 5 0 5 10 15 20 Kilometers
|

Fig. 4. Distribution of Chrysemys picta (Eastern Painted Fig. 5. Distribution of Chelydra serpentina (Snapping Turtle)
Turtle) captures in the Blackwater River, 1987-1988. and Trachemys scripta (Yellow-bellied Slider) captures in the
Blackwater River, 1987-1988.

76 BANISTERIA

“ Clemmys quttata
* Pseudemys rubriventris

20 Kilometers
—]

Fig. 6. Distribution of Clemmys guttata (Spotted Turtle) and
Pseudemys rubriventris (Northern Red-bellied Cooter)
captures in the Blackwater River, 1987-1988.

We cannot ascertain the distribution or relative
abundance of the remaining four species in the
Blackwater River, its tributaries, and associated
millponds (Fig. 5) because they were captured in low
numbers. We trapped Trachemys scripta at only two
stations, both millponds. Overall capture rate was 0.004
per trap-day. Capture rates for the remaining three
species were < ().002 per trap-day. We captured six P.
rubriventris at four stations. One station was a millpond
and the other three were on the mainstem. We also
captured C. guttata at four stations, all of which were
tributary streams. We trapped three C. serpentina, two
in the mainstem and one in a tributary.

DISCUSSION

Trap design and type used to capture freshwater
turtles in lotic and lentic habitats greatly influences the
species and number of individuals captured (Ream &
Ream, 1966; Plummer, 1979). Chicken wire traps,
baited or unbaited, are especially effective for
kinosternids (Kinosternon and Sternotherus) because
the ramp provides a continuation of the bottom
substrate contour. These turtles follow the ramp to the
Opening and once trapped are less likely to escape
compared to other species (JCM, pers. obs.). These
traps also capture large numbers of C. picta when bait,

NO. 43, 2014

such as sardines, is used (Mitchell, 1988). Clemmys
guttata can be trapped with chicken wire traps but they
inhabit wetlands often too shallow to trap and rarely
venture into deeper water (Mitchell, 1994). The number
of C. serpentina, P. rubriventris, and T. scripta
captured by chicken wire traps is usually less than that
captured by conventional turtle hoop traps and fyke
nets, especially when there is no bait (Vogt, 1980). The
capture of so few individuals of these three species can
be attributed to the size and type of trap used and lack
of bait. In addition, P. rubriventris, and T. scripta
are herbivorous as adults (Ernst & Lovich, 2009)
and seldom caught with fish bait (JCM, pers. obs.).
Thus, our understanding of the distribution of the
freshwater turtles in the Blackwater River drainage is
limited to three of the seven species captured. We are
unable to describe the structure of the turtle community
precisely because of the low captures of these four
species.

The three species for which we have adequate data
(C. picta, K. baurii, S. odoratus) occur throughout the
entire drainage in the river mainstem, its tributaries, and
associated millponds. The numbers caught suggest that
their populations were healthy in the 1980s in the
Blackwater River.

Occurrences of all seven of the species we captured
were expected because of the early distribution maps
assembled from museum specimens and miscellaneous
observations reported to the Virginia Herpetological
Society by Tobey (1985). This document was the first
to illustrate the distributions of all of Virginia’s
amphibians and reptiles. It and the turtle study by
Mitchell (1988) provided confidence that our trapping
methods, particularly the chicken wire traps, would
capture most, if not all, of the species known to occur in
the Blackwater River. Thus, perhaps with two
exceptions, we are confident that the composition of the
turtle fauna in this exclusively Coastal Plain river is
now well known.

Coastal Plain Cooters (Pseudemys concinna
floridana) occur in southeastern Virginia (Mitchell &
Reay, 1999), but unlike its sister subspecies P. c.
concinna (Eastern River Cooter) that occurs primarily
in rivers in the Piedmont, this turtle has only been
documented from ponds and lakes (Mitchell, 1994).
Pseudemys c. floridana is well known to inhabit other
rivers south of Virginia (Ernst & Lovich, 2009),
suggesting that this species may eventually be
documented in the Blackwater River.

We initially thought that many of the mud turtles
captured were K. subrubrum (all were reported as such
in Norman, 1989) and their locations were plotted on
the map in Mitchell & Reay (1999). However,
reexamination of these specimens, after clarification of

NORMAN & MITCHELL: BLACKWATER RIVER TURTLES 77

the occurrence of K. baurii in Virginia (Lamb &
Lovich, 1990), indicated that they were in fact all K.
baurii. We are confident our identification is correct
due to the presence of light bars on the snouts of these
specimens (a diagnostic character for the species).
Kinosternon subrubrum almost certainly occurs in the
Blackwater River drainage, especially in its preferred
marsh and pond habitats, because it is widespread in the
Coastal Plain (Mitchell, 1994; Mitchell & Reay, 1999).
Future studies of the freshwater turtles in this area
should seek to clarify the relative distributions of these
two mud turtles.

Coastal Plain rivers in the southeastern United
States support a diverse assemblage of freshwater
turtles (Buhlmann & Gibbons, 1997). The Blackwater
River is an example of an aquatic ecosystem that differs
abiotically and biotically along its length (MDN, pers.
obs.). The closed canopy over much of the upper reach
of this river and the debris dams above Franklin
undoubtedly create a different environment than that
found below Franklin. Water temperature may
influence seasonal activity patterns and open, sunny
sites along the river needed for successful nesting may
be scarce. These factors may in turn influence turtle life
histories in the upper reach compared to contrasting
temperatures and nesting success in the lower reach.
The structure of other rivers in the Southeast also
provides contrasting habitats for turtles. For example,
the Santa Fe River in northern Florida is tannic and
divided by a 5 km section where the river flows
underground (Johnston et al., 2012). The upper Santa
Fe River is narrower and has a more closed canopy than
the lower portion of the river and the lower section is
fed by a large number of springs that maintain stable
water temperatures and water clarity (Johnston et al.,
2011, 2012; Nico et al., 2012). Thus, environmental
differences between the upper and lower Blackwater
River provide abiotic environments that affect the
biology of turtles and likely other animals such as
macroinvertebrates (e.g., Smock et al., 1985, 1989) that
inhabit blackwater stream systems.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We thank Richard Cowell and Ron Southwick for
their help in the field. This study was partially
supported by the Virginia Department of Game and
Inland Fisheries (DGIF) while the senior author was
employed there. DGIF also issued collecting permits to
JCM. Voucher specimens were deposited in the
National Museum of Natural History.

LITERATURE CITED

Anderson, R. V., M. L. Gutierrez, & M. A. Romano.
2002. Turtle habitat use in a reach of the upper
Mississippi River. Journal of Freshwater Ecology 17:
171-177.

Bergeron C. M., J. Husak, W. A. Hopkins, J. M.
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Buhlmann, K. A., & J. W. Gibbons. 1997. Imperiled
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Crother, B. I. (committee chair). 2012. Scientific and
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Dreslik, M. J., A. R. Kuhns, & C. A. Phillips. 2005.
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Ernst, C. H., & J. E. Lovich. 2009. Turtles of the United
States and Canada. 2™ Edition, Johns Hopkins
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Fleming, G. P. 2012. The nature of the Virginia flora.
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Gibbons, J. W. 1990. Life History and Ecology of
the Slider Turtle. Smithsonian Institution Press,
Washington, DC. 368 pp.

78 BANISTERIA

Iverson, J. B. 1979. Another inexpensive turtle trap.
Herpetological Review 10: 55.

Johnston, G. R., A. Lau, & Y. V. Kornilev. 2011.
Composition of the turtle assemblage in a northern
Florida blackwater stream. Florida Scientist 74: 126-
133:

Johnston, G. R., E. Suarez, J. C. Mitchell, G. A.
Shemitz, P. L. Butt, & M. W. Kaunert. 2012.
Population ecology of the snapping turtle (Chelydra
serpentina osceola) in a northern Florida river.
Bulletin of the Florida Museum of Natural History 51:
243-256.

Lamb, T., & J. Lovich. 1990. Morphometric variation
of the striped mud turtle (Kinosternon baurii) in the
Carolinas and Virginia. Copeia 1990: 615-618.

Mitchell, J. C. 1988. Population ecology and life
histories of the freshwater turtles Chrysemys picta and
Sternotherus odoratus in an urban lake. Herpetological
Monographs 2: 40-61.

Mitchell, J. C. 1994. The Reptiles of Virginia.
Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington DC. 352 pp.

Mitchell, J. C., & C. A. Pague. 1984. Reptiles and
amphibians of far southwestern Virginia: report on a
biogeographical and ecological survey. Catesbeiana
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Mitchell, J. C., & K. Reay. 1999. Atlas of Amphibians
and Reptiles in Virginia. Special Publication Number 1,
Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries,
Richmond, VA. 122 pp.

Moll, D., & E. O. Moll. 2004. The Ecology,
Exploitation, and Conservation of River Turtles. Oxford
University Press, New York, NY. 393 pp.

Moll, D. L. 1980. Dirty river turtles. Natural History
Magazine 89(5): 42-49.

Nico, L. G., P. Butt, G. R. Johnston, H. L. Jelks, M.
Kail, & S. J. Walsh. 2012. Discovery of South
American suckermouth armored catfishes (Loricariidae,
Pterygolpichthys spp.) in the Santa Fe River drainage,

NO. 43, 2014

Suwannee River basin, USA. Bioinvasions Records 1:
179-200.

Norman, M. D. 1989. Preliminary survey of the
freshwater turtles of the Blackwater River. Catesbeiana
9: 9-14.

Plummer, M. V. 1979. Collecting and marking. Pp. 45-
60 In M. Harless & H. Morlock (eds.), Turtles,
Perspectives and Research. John Wiley & Sons., New
York, NY.

Ream, C., & R. Ream. 1966. The influence of sampling
methods on the estimation of population structure in
painted turtles. American Midland Naturalist 75: 325-
338.

Smock, L. A., E. Gilinsky, & D. L. Stoneburner. 1985.
Macroinvertebrate production in a southeastern United
States blackwater stream. Ecology 66: 1491-1503.

Smock, L. A., C. M. Metzler, & J. E. Gladden. 1989.
Role of debris dams in the structure and functioning
of low-gradient headwater streams. Ecology 70: 764-
Lda

Sterrett, S. C., L. L. Smith, S. W. Golladay, S. H.
Schweitzer, & J. C. Mearz. 2010. The conservation
implications of riparian land use on river turtles.
Animal Conservation 14: 38-46.

Tobey, F. J. 1985. Virginia’s Amphibians and Reptiles,
A Distributional Survey. Privately published for the
Virginia Herpetological Society, Purcellville, VA. 114

PP.

Vogt, R. C. 1980. New methods for trapping aquatic
turtles. Copeia 1980: 368-371.

Weakley, A. S., J. C. Ludwig, & J. F. Townsend. 2012.
Flora of Virginia. B. Crowder (ed.), Foundation of the
Flora of Virginia Project Inc., Botanical Institute of
Texas Press, Fort Worth, TX. 1,554 pp.

Woodward, S. L., & R. L. Hoffman. 1991. The nature
of Virginia. Pp. 23-47 In K. Terwilliger (coordinator),
Virginia’s Endangered Species, McDonald &
Woodward Publishing Company, Blacksburg, VA.

Banisteria, Number 43, pages 79-88
© 2014 Virginia Natural History Society

Amphibian and Reptile Communities in Hardwood Forest
and Old Field Habitats in the Central Virginia Piedmont

Joseph C. Mitchell

Mitchell Ecological Research Service, LLC
P.O. Box 2520
High Springs, Florida 32655

ABSTRACT

A 13-month drift fence study in two replicates of hardwood forest stands and two fields in early succession in the
central Virginia Piedmont revealed that amphibian abundance is significantly reduced by removal of forest cover.
Pitfall traps captured 12 species of frogs, nine salamanders, four lizards, and five snakes. Twenty-two species of
amphibians were captured on the hardwood sites compared to 15 species on the old fields. Eight times as many
amphibians were caught per trap day on both hardwood sites than in the combined old field sites. The total number
of frogs captured on the hardwoods was higher than in the old fields, as was the total number of salamanders.
Numbers of frogs and salamanders captured per trap day were significantly higher in the hardwood sites than in the
old field sites. Seven species of small-bodied reptiles were caught in both habitat types. More lizard species were
captured in the old fields, whereas more snakes were caught in the hardwoods. The number of individual reptiles
captured per trap day was similar in both habitat types. Despite the fact that large portions of the Virginia Piedmont
remained in agriculture following losses in the 18" century, reclaimed areas such as in private and state forests, state
and national parks, and federal military bases have slowed amphibian declines in some of this landscape. Projected
urban growth and continued timber harvest in the Virginia Piedmont may substantially reduce amphibian species

richness in portions of this region leaving only generalist species.

Key words: Anura, clearcut, forest management, lizard, Piedmont, salamander, snake, Virginia.

INTRODUCTION

A basic tenant in ecology is that animal assemblages
contain species distributed unequally within and among
habitat types. Such variation is due to such factors as
species distribution patterns, annual variation in
weather, seasonal variation in environmental conditions
such as moisture and pH, microhabitat structure,
densities of predators and prey, and natural and
anthropogenic changes in habitat structure (e.g., Adler,
1988; Kirkland, 1990; Mitchell et al., 1997; Bellows et
al., 2001; Brawn et al., 2001). Species richness (alpha
diversity) of amphibian and reptile assemblages may be
similar between habitats but the relative abundance of
individual species varies (Magurran, 2004). More often
than not, both species richness and their relative
abundances vary within assemblages among different
habitat types (e.g., Ross et al., 2000; Knapp et al., 2003;
Goldstein et al., 2005). These relationships have been
studied in Virginia for mammals (e.g., Pagels et al.,

1992; Mitchell et al., 1997; Bellows et al., 1999, 2001;
Bellows & Mitchell, 2000; Shively et al., 2006) and
amphibians and reptiles (e.g., Buhlmann et al., 1994;
Mitchell et al., 1997; Harpole & Haas, 1999; Mitchell et
al., 2000; Burruss et al., 2011).

In 1989 and 1990, I conducted a study of terrestrial
amphibians and small reptiles at four localities in
northern Cumberland County, Virginia, in connection
with a site evaluation for a proposed coal-fired power
plant. The habitats in this area differed dramatically.
Two of the study sites were hardwood forests with
canopy cover, whereas two others had been clearcut
and completely lacked canopy cover. In this paper, I
report the results of a study comparing the structure of
amphibian and squamate (lizard and snake) reptile
assemblages in these two contrasting habitat types to
ask if the magnitude of the differences between
these two habitats in this area may have broader
applications in the central Virginia Piedmont
physiographic region.

80 BANISTERIA

STUDY SITES

I studied the herpetofaunas on four sites in
Cumberland County, Virginia, from 7 September 1989
to 30 September 1990. The sites were selected to
represent the most common habitats in this region that
were not in active agriculture. Site locations were non-
randomly selected for road access and_ visual
representation of the habitat. Their locations were
roughly along a line extending 3-6 km south of the
town of Columbia in Goochland County (Fig. 1). The
study sites included two separate mixed hardwood
stands (designated as north [HW-N] and south [HW-S],
both approximately 40+ yr in age) and two areas that
had been previously clearcut (fields in early succession
[= old fields], also north [OF-N] and south [OF-S]) that
were 3 yr and 6 yr old, respectively. Descriptions of the
study sites (Fig. 2) are derived from Pagels et al.
(1992), Erdle (1997), and my own observations.

Hardwood stands - The most abundant tree species
in HW-N were red maple (Acer rubra), shortleaf pine
(Pinus echinata), tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera),
American beech (Fagus grandifolia), and white oak
(Quercus alba). The sparse understory consisted
primarily of dogwood (Cornus virginianus). Canopy
cover averaged 86%. A tributary of Cobb Creek was
located adjacent to this site. HW-S differed from HW-N
in the relative abundance of trees and the composition
of the herbaceous layer. Sweet gum (Liquidambar
styraciflua) was the most abundant tree species,
followed by tulip poplar, red maple, and white oak.
Canopy cover was 75%. A tributary of Johnson’s Creek
was about 20 m away from this site.

Old fields - OF-N was characterized primarily by
shrubs such as gooseberry (Ribes spp.) and blueberry
(Vaccinium spp.) followed by forbs and vines. OF-S
consisted primarily of forbs, such as horse weed
(Erigeron canadensis), white thoroughwort
(Eupatorium album), partridge berry (Mitchella
repens), and partridge pea (Chamaecrista fasciculata)
followed by vines and grasses. Numerous loblolly pine
(Pinus taeda) trees had been planted in both sites (Fig.
2). Hardwood stumps occurred on both sites. There was
no canopy cover. A very narrow, small seepage area
that held water only during wet periods was located
within 30-40 m of each site.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

I used a single pitfall-drift fence array (Campbell &
Christman, 1982) in each of the four sites to capture

NO. 43, 2014

Columbia

Fig. 1. Location of the five study sites in Cumberland County,
Virginia. Abbreviations: HW-N = hardwoods north, HW-S =
hardwoods south, OF-N = old field north, OF-S = old field
south.

terrestrial amphibians and reptiles. Each array consisted
of three 8-m long strips of 60 cm high aluminum
flashing set upright in an exploded Y-configuration
with each arm located about 7-8 m from the open
center of the sample site. A plastic 5-gallon (19-1)
bucket was buried flush in the ground at the end of each
arm; six pitfall traps in each array. Arrays were set at
least 100 m from the nearest edge of the adjacent
habitat. Traps contained a weak formalin solution, and
were emptied at about two-week intervals. Use of
funnel traps placed alongside the drift fences would
have increased reptile captures, especially snakes (Vogt
& Hine, 1982) but daily trap checks were cost
prohibitive. The sampling technique in this study
allowed me to effectively compare abundance and
species composition of anurans, lizards, and small
snakes between the two habitat types

Gender of the adults of each species and juvenile
snakes was determined by examination of external
morphology. Chi-square tests used herein include Yates
correction for continuity following Zar (2009).

MITCHELL: AMPHIBIAN AND REPTILE COMMUNITIES 81

: ~ a ‘
. > z oe) ~ .
4 . : 4 ot = 2 . , -
a 3 : * ‘“P ee, ee * ‘
‘ re, > Is SO a P ety

Fig. 2. Photographs of the four sampling sites in Cumberland County. Upper left: HW-N,
upper right: HW-S, lower left: OF-N, lower right: OF-S. See text for site descriptions.

RESULTS

The drift fence arrays captured 958 individuals in
the four study sites during the 13-month study,
including 21 species of amphibians and nine species of
reptiles (Table 1). Eight times more amphibians (854)
were caught than reptiles (104). Seven times as many
amphibians were caught per trap day on the hardwood
sites than on the old field sites. The number of reptiles
captured per trap day was similar in both habitat types
(Table 1).

I caught 12 species of frogs and nine species of
salamanders in the hardwood sites as compared to nine
species of frogs and seven species of salamanders on
the old fields. The difference in total number of frog
species in hardwoods versus old fields was not
significant (X° = 0.018, P > 0.75) nor were the
comparable values for salamanders (X° = 0.062, P >
0.75). The difference in total number of frog and
salamander species combined (Table 1) between
hardwoods and old fields was not significant (X° =
0.432, P > 0.5).

The total number of frogs captured on_ the
hardwoods was higher than in the old fields, as was the
total number of salamanders between these two sites
(Table 1). Number of frogs captured per trap day
between the two habitat types was significantly
different (X= 3.2, P > 0.05), but not the number of

salamanders Oe = 0.77, P > 0.25). The number of frogs
and salamanders combined that were caught per trap
day was significantly higher in hardwoods than in old
fields (Table 1, Xe Se Pee 0.01). Three times as
many juvenile frogs (485) were captured than adults
(182) and 3.5 times more adult salamanders (146) were
captured than juveniles (42). More adult female frogs
were caught than adult males in both habitat types.
More female salamanders were captured in the
hardwoods, but more males were caught in the old
fields.

Four species of frogs dominated the anuran fauna in
the hardwood sites, A. americanus, L. clamitans, L.
palustris, and L. sylvaticus. The number per trap day for
all of these species did not differ significantly between
HW-N and HW-S (P > 0.5 — 0.75). The number of A.
americanus (P > 0.5) and L. clamitans (P > 0.25)
captured per trap day did not differ between hardwood
and old field sites. Significantly more A. opacum were
caught in HW-N (63) than in HW-S (5) (X° = 6.97, P <
0.025) but not E. cirrigera (P > 0.75). Ambystoma
maculatum, D. fuscus, H. scutatum, P. cinereus, and P.
ruber were captured only in HW-N.

I caught all four species of lizards in the old fields
but only two of these species in the hardwood sites.
Five species of small snakes were caught in the
hardwoods compared to three species in the old fields
(Table 1). The number of lizards captured per trap day

NO. 43, 2014

BANISTERIA

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84 BANISTERIA

in the hardwood sites was not significantly different
from the number captured per trap day in the old field
sites (X° = 1.96, P > 0.1). The number of snakes
captured per trap day in these two habitat types was
also not significantly different (X° = 1.54, P > 0.1).
There was no obvious pattern for the frequencies of the
sex and age groups for lizards. Male snakes were more
numerous than females; only three juveniles were
captured. I caught more than twice as many snakes in
the hardwoods than in the old field sites; the difference
is similar for captures per trap day (Table 1). The
number of Eastern Wormsnakes (Carphophis amoenus)
caught per trap day in both habitat types was not
significantly different (X° = 0.245, P > 0.5).

DISCUSSION

Daytime visual searches of all habitats available,
dipnet sampling of pools and streams, and nighttime
road surveys, in addition to the drift fence arrays,
provided an assessment of the herpetofauna in this part
of the Piedmont. All techniques combined provided
occurrence data for 92% of the expected number of
amphibian species (93% anurans, 91% salamanders)
and 60% of the expected number of squamate reptiles
(57% lizards, 61% snakes) based on the range maps in
Mitchell & Reay (1999) and Beane et al. (2010). The
corresponding number of species documented with the
drift fence arrays alone was 84% for amphibians (86%
anurans, 82% salamanders) and 36% for reptiles (57%
lizards, 28% snakes). This single technique provided a
robust estimate of amphibian species richness in the
central Virginia Piedmont but an incomplete estimate
for squamate reptiles. Most of the frogs are either
terrestrial or, if primarily arboreal, occur on the ground
occasionally (Dorcas & Gibbons, 2008; Dodd, 2013).
Treefrogs were undoubtedly underestimated. All of the
salamanders captured are terrestrial or semi-aquatic
species that often occur terrestrially during part of their
life cycles (Petranka, 1998; Mitchell & Gibbons, 2010).
Except for Scincella lateralis, the lizards are arboreal
but occasionally move among habitat patches or forage
on the ground (Gibbons et al., 2009). Snakes are
notoriously secretive (Gibbons & Dorcas, 2005) and
pitfalls capture only small-bodied species. Thus, the
results of my assessment of the amphibian fauna in the
two contrasting habitats using a pitfall trapping
technique allowed for a reasonable inference about the
effect of hardwood removal on this group of vertebrates
in the Piedmont.

Frog and salamander species richness in hardwoods
and old fields was not significantly different, although
more species of both groups were found in the
hardwood sites. There were significantly more

NO. 43, 2014

individual amphibians, however, in hardwood habitats
than in the old fields. Clearcutting dramatically alters
forest structure by removal of the canopy and exposes
the substrate to more sunlight and wind creating a much
warmer and drier microclimate (Semlitsch et al., 2009).
These changes lead to rapid water loss and high
mortality in amphibians (Rothermel & Luhring, 2005;
Rittenhouse et al., 2008). Sublethal effects include
reduced activity and growth (Todd & Rothermel, 2006).
Clearcuts are often avoided by juveniles dispersing
from aquatic breeding sites (Patrick et al., 2006). The
anurans caught in old fields were likely dispersing
individuals because these sites lacked aquatic breeding
habitats. Salamanders included few dispersing adults
and juveniles (e.g., Spotted Salamander [Ambystoma
maculatum], Red-spotted Newt [Notophthalmus
viridescens]). Occurrence of streamside species (e.g.,
Desmognathus fuscus, Pseudotriton ruber) in old field
sites was due to the presence of a small seepage within
30-40 m of both trap arrays, suggesting that water is
more important to amphibians than canopy cover.
Except for the small creek, there was no water available
for breeding amphibians near HW-S, however, the large
number of the ephemeral pool-breeding Marbled
Salamander (Ambystoma opacum) suggests that at least
one of these wetlands was within dispersal distance.
Adult and juvenile A. maculatum and Wood Frogs
(Lithobates sylvaticus) dispersed from several road-rut
pools about 80 m from HW-N.

Kapfer & Munoz (2012) studied amphibians,
reptiles, and small mammals in the North Carolina
Piedmont during 2010-2011 using a variety of
techniques, including drift fence arrays with a single
pitfall trap in the center of the X-shaped array and
funnel and box traps alongside the fences. Nine species
of frogs and four species of salamanders were captured
in the hardwood sites but none in their grassland (= old
field) sites. Two lizard species were caught in
hardwoods and one in grasslands. Six species of snakes
were caught in each of the habitat types. Their results
support my conclusion that converting hardwoods to
early successional habitat causes significant decline in
amphibian populations in the Piedmont.

The drift fence design in this study did not capture
many reptiles. The higher number of individuals caught
in the old fields was not unexpected due to the
heliothermic affinities of most species of the lizards that
occur in Virginia. Most of the lizards caught in the
hardwoods were in HW-S, the site with the lowest
amount of canopy cover. The sample size of one small
species of snake allowed for statistical testing. More
individuals of C. amoenus were captured in the
hardwood sites than in the old fields. These snakes are
most often captured in forested and wooded habitats

MITCHELL: AMPHIBIAN AND REPTILE COMMUNITIES 85

where the relatively moist soil allows burrowing
(Mitchell, 1994). The few captures of the other snake
species reveal no patterns and statistical testing was not
possible.

The effects of clear-cutting hardwood forests and
conversion to early successional fields and managed
pine plantations on amphibian species richness and
diversity are well known (e.g., Keenan & Kimmins,
1993; Grialou et al., 2000; Todd & Andrews, 2008;
Semlitsch et al., 2009). All such conversions have
contributed to the ongoing decline of amphibian
populations in Virginia, the United States, and
elsewhere (Mitchell et al., 1999; Stuart et al., 2004;
Adams et al., 2013). Hardwood forests in the Virginia
Piedmont were reduced dramatically due to agriculture
and timber harvest in the 1600s and 1700s. However,
forest regrowth in the first half of the 1900s, largely due
to abandonment of farmland (Trani et al., 2001),
probably allowed expansion of amphibian populations
in areas that reached hardwood forest stages through
ecological succession.

Despite the fact that large portions of the Virginia
Piedmont have remained in agriculture following losses
in the 18" century, reclaimed areas such as in private
and state forests, state and national parks, and federal
military bases have slowed declines in species richness
across some of this landscape (e.g., Mitchell & Roble,
1998; Mitchell, 2006, 2007). Intensive harvesting of
hardwood forests in the late 1900s and early 2000s for
commercial products, however, again converted large
areas to early successional stages or these areas were
planted with fast growing pine trees (Conner &
Hartsell, 2002; Van Lear et al., 2004). Terrestrial
amphibian communities in the Piedmont will continue
to be fragmented and their habitats reduced to smaller
and smaller patches as long as hardwood deforestation
continues (Griep & Collins, 2013). Substantial urban
growth in the Piedmont may substantially reduce
amphibian species richness in this region, leaving only
generalist species. As projected for urban areas
(McKinney & Lockwood, 1999; McKinney, 2006),
future amphibian communities in much of the Virginia
Piedmont may be comprised of only habitat generalists
consisting of species such as American Bullfrog
(Lithobates catesbeianus), Green Frog (L. clamitans),
American Toad (Anaxyrus americanus), Fowler’s Toad
(A. fowleri), Cope’s Gray Treefrog (Hyla chrysoscelis),
Gray Treefrog (H. versicolor), and Spring Peeper
(Pseudacris — crucifer). Amphibian community
homogenization may be the future for much of the
central Virginia Piedmont except in protected areas
with the remaining mature hardwoods.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Doug Kibbe, then with Ebasco Environmental
Services, provided partial funding to JCM through a
contract with the Virginia Power Company. Donna
Clifton, Sandra Erdle, Joe Fischl, Tim Ianuzzi, and
Wendy Mitchell assisted in the field. Todd Georgel
helped tabulate the specimens.

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habitat types and census techniques. Forest Ecology and
Management 167: 83-90.

Semlitsch, R. D., B. D. Todd, S. M. Blomquist, A. J. K.
Calhoun, J. W. Gibbons, J. P. Gibbs, G. J. Graeter,
E. B. Harper, D. J. Hocking, M. L. Hunter, Jr., D. A.
Patrick, T. A. G. Rittenhouse, & B. B. Rothermel. 2009.
Effects of timber harvest on amphibian populations:
understanding mechanisms from forest experiments.
BioScience 59: 853-862.

Shively, H. S., J. D. Fiore, & T. S. Fredericksen. 2006.
Effects of timber harvesting on the abundance and
diversity of small mammals on non-industrial private
forestlands in south-central Virginia. Banisteria 27: 31-
36.

Stuart, S. N., J. S. Chanson, N. A. Cox, B. E. Young,
A. S. L. Rodrigues, D. L. Fishman, & R. W. Waller.

88 BANISTERIA

2004. Status and trends of amphibian declines and
extinctions worldwide. Science 306:1783-1786.

Todd, B. D., & K. M. Andrews. 2008. Response of a
reptile guild to forest harvesting. Conservation Biology
22: 753-761.

Todd, B. D., & B. B. Rothermel. 2006. Assessing
quality of clearcut habitats for amphibians: effects on
abundances versus vital rates in the Southern Toad
(Bufo terrestris). Biological Conservation 133: 178-
185.

Trani, M. K., R. T. Brooks, T. L. Schmidt, V. A. Rudis,
& C. M. Gabbard. 2001. Patterns and trends in early
successional forests in the eastern United States.
Wildlife Society Bulletin 29: 413-424.

NO. 43, 2014

Van Lear, D. H., R. A. Harper, P. R. Kapwluck, &
W. D. Carroll. 2004. History of Piedmont forests:
implications for current pine management. Pp. 127-131
In K. F. Connor (ed.), Proceedings of the 12" Biennial
Southern Silvicultural Research Conference. General
Technical Report SRS-71. U.S. Department of
Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Research Station,
Asheville, NC.

Vogt, R. C., & R. L. Hine. 1982. Possible placement of
pitfall and funnel traps along a drift fence. Pp. 201-217
InN. J. Scott (ed.), Herpetological Communities. U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service, Wildlife Research Report 13,
Washington, DC.

Zar, J. H. 2009. Biostatistical Analysis. 6™ Edition,
Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ. 960 pp. +
appendices.

Banisteria, Number 43, pages 89-92
© 2014 Virginia Natural History Society

Caddisfly Species New to, or Rarely Recorded from,
the State of Virginia (Insecta: Trichoptera)

Oliver S. Flint, Jr.

Department of Entomology
National Museum of Natural History
Washington, DC 20013-7012

ABSTRACT

Eight species of caddisflies (Trichoptera) are added to the 361 species recorded by 2009 from the state of
Virginia. There are now 369 species confirmed from the state. The new records are: Agapetus baueri and A.
kirchneri (Glossosomatidae), Hydroptila ampoda, H. nicoli, Neotrichia collata, Oxyethira abacatia (Hydroptilidae),
Oligostomis ocelligera (Phryganeidae), and Polycentropus colei (Polycentropodidae). Significant range extensions
are recorded for three species rarely reported from the state: Adicrophleps hitchcocki (Brachycentridae), Hydroptila
lonchera (Hydroptilidae), and Lepidostoma serratum Lepidostomatidae). Two additional species are tentatively
recorded based on females that need associated males for confirmation: Oxyethira dunbartonensis (Hydroptilidae,
this would be another new state record if confirmed), and Theliopsyche grisea (Lepidostomatidae, a range
extension). Agapetus rossi has been shown to be a synonym of A. walkeri (Glossosomatidae).

Key words: caddisfly, Brachycentridae, Glossosomatidae, Hydroptilidae, Lepidostomatidae, Phryganeidae,
Polycentropodidae, new state records, range extensions, Virginia.

INTRODUCTION

In 2009 we (Flint et al., 2009) completed our
inventory of caddisfly species known from Virginia. At
that time we had recorded 361 species in the state. In
this paper are recorded eight more species recently
discovered in Virginia, bringing the state’s total to 369.
Of these eight new state records, two are the result of a
revision of the genus Agapetus wherein two of the new
species are recorded in the state (Etnier et al., 2010), the
remaining six are the result of insect trapping with
Malaise traps in the Bull Run Mountains Conservancy
(=BRMC) in the years 2011, 2012 and 2013. In
addition to these new state records, three species are
recorded with significant range expansions, two are
tentatively recorded on the basis of females only that
need males for confirmation of identification (one of
which would be a new state record if confirmed), and
one is a recent name change.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Since the completion of our survey of VA
caddisflies in 2009, I am aware of only one paper

published that adds species to the state list. Etnier et al.
(2010) revised the genus Agapetus from eastern and
central USA. They discovered 12 previously unknown
species, primarily by utilizing a different collecting
technique that entailed collecting larvae and pupae in
their pupal cases primarily from springs and their runs
in early spring (April and May) and then rearing them
to adulthood. This is a surprisingly successful technique
for uncovering previously unknown species, at least in
this genus. This technique resulted in all of the VA
records for A. kirchneri.

All other records were obtained during a survey
(2011-2013) of certain insect groups in the BRMC
initiated by Dr. David R. Smith of the USDA with help
from Dr. Thomas J. Henry (USDA) and myself (SI).
We are most grateful to Michael J. Kieffer, Executive
Director of the BRMC, for enthusiastic permission and
help with this project. Our traps have been placed in
two primary areas, one near the Conservancy
headquarters (38°49.5’N, 77°42.3°W) (3 or 4 single
traps per year placed at various sites called mountain
house, Beverly Mill or Broad Run, swamp, fern valley,
chestnut ridge, cemetery and cemetery gulch) with a
nearby associated grouping of three traps along the east

90 BANISTERIA

end trail (38°49.6’N, 77°41.9’°W), the second grouping
of three or four traps to the north of the headquarters in
Jackson Hollow scattered around a former campground
(38°52.7°N, 77°41.9°W). In 2013, we went outside the
BRMC and set two traps on the western slopes of the
mountains: the first adjacent to the property of Dr.
Shurberg at 4566 Hopewell Road, in Fauquier Co.
(38°52.1°N, 77°42.21’W), the second at a spring run in
the Roland Farm woods off Bust Head Road
(38°50.6’N, 77°49.6’W; this trap was taken down by
Black Bears early in the season). Many of the traps
were placed close to a first or second order stream, but
the Bull Run near Beverly Mill is probably a third order
stream. A few of our traps were vandalized by humans
in 2012 and 2013 (two each year), but bears were a
bigger problem: they destroyed seven of nine in 2012,
but only two of 11 in 2013.

An asterisk (*) before the specific name in the
section that follows indicates a species herein recorded
from Virginia for the first time. Unless indicated
otherwise, the material is deposited in the collection
of the National Museum of Natural History,
Smithsonian Institution (NMNH). The © other
depositories are: CASC = California Academy of
Sciences, CUAC = Clemson University, INHS =
Illinois Natural History Survey, ROME = Royal
Ontario Museum, UMSP = University of Minnesota,
UT = University of Tennessee, and VMNH = Virginia
Museum of Natural History.

Family Brachycentridae
Genus Adicrophleps

Adicrophleps hitchcocki Flint. This species had
been known from six counties along the Blue Ridge
from Bedford to Rappahannock (Flint et al., 2008). In
the three years of collecting in the BRMC, only one
specimen was taken, well to the east of its previously
known distribution.

Prince William Co., BRMC, Jackson Hollow, far
Malaise trap, 38°52.6’N, 77°41.4°W, 16 Apr-2 May
2013, 1¢.

Family Glossosomatidae
Genus Agapetus

In 2010, Etnier, Parker, Baxter, and Long published
“A review of the genus A gapetus in eastern and central
North America, with description of 12 new species”. In
this work, two of the new species were recorded from
VA, and one other species known from the state had its
name changed. These data are presented below.

NO. 43, 2014

*Agapetus baueri Etnier, Parker & Baxter. This
newly described species was recorded from two
collections made in Floyd Co., VA in addition to
numerous collections from NC and TN.

Floyd Co., Blue Ridge Parkway, outflow of Mabry
Mill pond, downstream to approximately 30 m, Mile-
post 176.2 right, 8 June 2006, 2 3 (UT). Blue Ridge
Parkway confluence of 2 streams feeding Mabry Mill
pond, along paved trail, Milepost 176.2 left, 20 July
2007, 1 5 (UT).

*Agapetus kirchneri Parker, Etnier & Baxter. The
holotype, allotype, and many paratypes of this new
species were from Lee Co., VA, with additional records
from Smyth and Washington Cos., as well as KY and
TN. Lee Co., Cumberland Gap National Historical
Park, Station Creek at horse barn, 36.6040°N,
83.6285°W, 5 April 2007, emerged 25 April-7 May,
J. L. Robinson, holotype @ (NMNH), allotype 9°
(NMNH), paratypes 84, 49 (CASC, CUAC, INHS,
ROME, UMSP, NMNH, UT). Lee Co., northern trib. to
Hardy Cr. along US58, 5.2 rd mi ne of Rose Hill, 20
April 2000, 13 larvae/ prepupae, 84, 79 mature
pupae/adults (UT). Smyth Co., Laurel Spring Rd., 0.6
rd mi s of I-81 mile 43 overpass, 27 April 2003, 5
larvae, 2 pupae, 32 mature pupae (UT). Washington
Co., Rockhouse Run at jct. VA 710 & VA 711, near
Alvarado, 4 May 2003, 6 larvae/prepupae, 2 pupae,
174, 129 mature pupae/adults (UT).

Agapetus walkeri Betten & Mosely. This species
was previously known as A. rossi Denning and reported
as such by Flint et al. (2004). The synonymy was
established in the aforementioned paper by Etnier et al.
(2010).

Family Hydroptilidae
Genus Hydroptila

*Hydroptila ampoda Ross. Although described
from NS and QC in 1944, it has been recorded a
number of times over the years from eastern Canada,
New England, PA, and southwest of VA in KY and TN,
with a western record from MN. These records from
northern VA, therefore, help fill in the gap in known
distribution in eastern USA. It is one of four species of
the tineoides group found in the BRMC, the others
being: H. fiskei Blickle, H. hamata Morton, and an
apparently undescribed species. Although females of
the group are commonly taken, it is not yet possible to
distinguish, nor associate, them with any one species.

Prince William Co., BRMC, Jackson Hollow,
Malaise trap #1, 38°52.6’N, 77°41.4W, 22 July-

FLINT: CADDISFLIES 91

9 August 2011, 14 (NMNH); same, but Malaise traps
#2, #3, #4, 21 April-20 September 2012, 6 collections,
154; same, but all 3 traps, 3 May-5 August 2013, 5
collections, 5. Fauquier Co., Shurberg home, 4566
Hopewell Rd., 38.8678°N, 77.7035°W, 3-22 May 2013,
Ret

Hydroptila lonchera Blickle & Morse. This species
was previously known in VA only from one specimen
taken in Louisa Co. on 25 August 1977 (Flint et al.,
2004). It was fairly commonly taken in the Malaise
traps located in Jackson Hollow in all three years, but,
oddly, no females obviously belonging to this species
were seen.

Prince William Co., BRMC, Jackson Hollow,
stream above dam, 27/28 May 2010, A.V. Evans, 1 ¢
(NMNH). Prince William Co., BRMC, Jackson
Hollow, stream, field & far Malaise traps, 38°52.6’N,
77°41. 4’°W, 28 April-31 August 2011, 10 collections,
184 (NMNH, VMNH); same, but 21 April-20
September 2012, 12 collections, 34¢; same, but 23
May-5 August 2013, 3 collections, 4 3.

*Hydroptila nicoli Ross. This species was described
in 1941 from a few specimens taken in Nova Scotia,
and was not recorded again until early in 2011 when
three specimens were collected in Clinton Co. in
upstate New York (Myers et al., 2011), about 450 miles
(ca. 725 km) NNE of the BRMC. It is common in
Jackson Hollow and has been taken in every Malaise
trap operated there.

Prince William Co., BRMC, Jackson Hollow,
stream, field & far Malaise traps, 38°52.6’N,
77°41.4’"W, 13 May-31 August 2011, 16 collections,
4724, 282 (NMNH, VMNH); same, but 21 April-20
September 2012, 12 collections, 524, 1109; same, but
23 May -23 September 2013, 12 collections, 230, 279.

Genus Neotrichia

*Neotrichia collata Auths. (= doppelganger Keth
MS). Andrew Keth in his doctoral dissertation (Keth,
2002) discovered that the species long considered (Ross
1944, etc.) to be N. collata was different from the type
of collata. He proposed the MS name of doppelganger
for the incorrect concept; unfortunately the description
has not been published, but I understand that the paper
is in preparation. It has been recorded from AL north to
ME and west to IL with an outlier from UT, but not
previously from VA. We took it at Jackson Hollow,
Beverly Mill, and Schurberg home in most Malaise
traps in all years.

Prince William Co., BRMC, Jackson Hollow,
Malaise traps, 38°52.6’N, 77°41.4’°W, 25 June-21 July

2011, 3 collections, 14, 29 (NMNH); same, but 28
June-13 July 2012, 2 collections, 2<, 19; same, but 26
June-16 July 2013, 2 collections, 4¢'; same, but Broad
Run at Beverly Mill, 38°49.5°N, 77°42.6°W, 21
September-18 October 2012, 1¢. Fauquier Co.,
Shurberg home, 4566 Hopewell Rd., 38.8678°N,
77.7035°W, 26 June-28 August 2013, 3 collections,
264, 429 (NMNH).

Genus Oxyethira

*Oxyethira abacatia Denning. This species has
previously been reported from TX to FL and north to
Macon Co., NC. These VA records are approximately
430 miles (almost 700 km) NE of the NC record. It was
not collected in 2011 and rather uncommonly taken in
2013, but was taken in all traps in Jackson Hollow in
2012.

Prince William Co., BRMC, Jackson Hollow,
Malaise traps, 38°52.6’N, 77°41.4"°W, 26 May-20
September 2012, 9 collections, 206, 62 (NMNH);
same, but 26 June-16 July 2013, 19. Fauquier Co.,
Shurberg home, 4566 Hopewell Rd., 38.8678°N,
77.7035°W, 3 May-5 August 2013, 3 collections, 1<3,
42 (NMNB).

Oxyethira species, probably dunbartonensis Kelley.
This is another rarely reported species known from the
southeastern United States. It is known for certain only
from GA and SC, the closest locality being in Aiken
Co., SC about 450 miles (ca. 725 km) to the south.
Unfortunately, it is known in the BRMC only from one
female collected in 2012. A male is needed to fully
verify the identification although the identity of the
female seems pretty secure. If the identity is confirmed,
it would be a new species to the state of VA.

Prince William Co., BRMC, Jackson Hollow,
Malaise trap #2, 38°52.6°N, 77°41.4W, 14 July-
3 August 2012, 12 (NMNH).

Family Lepidostomatidae
Genus Lepidostoma

Lepidostoma serratum Flint & Wiggins. There were
two records published (Flint et al., 2008) of this species
in Virginia, both from the eastern margin of the Blue
Ridge in southwestern VA about 275 miles SW. It is
known from CT to LA. This record from Prince
William Co. thus expands its known range in the state
from the SW corner to the northern Piedmont.

Prince William Co., BRMC, Jackson Hollow, field
Malaise trap, 38°52.8’N, 77°41.4°W, 24 Sept-4 Nov
2013, 22 (NMNH).

92 BANISTERIA

Genus Theliopsyche

Theliopsyche species, probably grisea (Hagen). We
recorded three collections of single males of this
species in our study (Flint et al., 2008), all from the
Blue Ridge and Alleghenian mountains. I have been
unable to find a verified female of this species, the few
females described in other species of the genus are
clearly different from the one recorded below. The most
logical and virtually only choice left in the genus is T.
grisea, but until either a male is taken or a confirmed
female that can be compared is found, I feel it best to
leave its identity questioned. A record from the eastern
lowlands will mark a considerable expansion of its
distribution in VA.

Prince William Co., BRMC, Jackson Hollow,
Malaise trap #1, 38°52.6’N, 77°41.4’W, 11-24 June
2011, 12 (NMNH).

Family Phryganeidae
Genus Oligostomis

*Oligostomis ocelligera (Walker). Of the two
species of Oligostomis known from eastern North
America, O. pardalis was recorded from a few
specimens taken in Giles Co. and O. ocelligera
mentioned as possibly to be found in the western part of
the state (Flint et al., 2008). Specimens have now been
taken in VA, but not in the west! It is a species limited
to northeastern North America from near the James Bay
in Quebec south to TN and along the coastal provinces
and states from Newfoundland south to NJ and west to
WI, IN, and TN. It has not been recorded from south of
PA among the mid-Atlantic states. This record is about
150 miles (ca. 240 km) southeast of the closest record
in Fayette Co., PA. It was only taken in 2013 from the
two traps closest to Broad Run near Beverly Mill.

Prince William Co., Broad Run at Beverly Mill,
38°49.5’°N, 77°42.6°W, 16 Apr-2 May 2013, 1¢
(NMNH). Prince William Co., Mountain House,
38°49. S°N, 77°42.3’W, 3-22 May 2013, 12 (NMNBH).

Family Polycentropodidae
Genus Polycentropus

*Polycentropus colei Ross. This rather infrequently
collected species was described from Great Smoky
Mountains National Park in TN, and since recorded
from PA, WV, and QC. The female has not been
described. The two females I here associate with this

NO. 43, 2014

species have had their abdomens cleared and _ their
genitalia are identical and resemble those of the closely
related P. rickeri Yamamoto, but offer some clear,
but minor distinctions. Everything considered, it
seems most likely that these examples are females of
P. colei. All examples were taken in 2013, two from
Jackson Hollow, the third from just north of the Beverly
Mill.

Prince William Co., BRMC, Jackson Hollow,
stream Malaise trap, 38°52.7’N, 77°41.3°W, 23 May-
6 June 2013, 14; same, but far malaise trap, 38°52.6’N,
T7T°41.4W, 7-25 June 2013, 12 (NMNH). Prince
William Co., cemetery gulch, 38.827°N, 77.709°W,
7-25 June 2013, 12 (NMNH).

LITERATURE CITED

Etnier, D. A., C. R. Parker, J. T. Baxter, Jr., & T. M.
Long. 2010. A review of the genus Agapetus Curtis
(Trichoptera: Glossosomatidae) in eastern and central
North America, with description of 12 new species.
Insecta Mundi 0149: 1-77.

Flint, O. S., Jr., R. L. Hoffman, & C. R. Parker. 2004.
An annotated list of the caddisflies (Trichoptera) of
Virginia: Part I. Introduction and families of
Annulipalpia and Spicipalpia. Banisteria 24: 23-46.

Flint, O. S., Jr., R. L. Hoffman, & C. R. Parker. 2008.
An annotated list of the caddisflies (Trichoptera) of
Virginia: Part II. Families of Integripalpia. Banisteria
Sle 35-25%

Flint, O. S., Jr., R. L. Hoffman, & C. R. Parker. 2009.
An annotated list of the caddisflies (Trichoptera) of
Virginia: Part III. Emendations and biogeography.
Banisteria 34: 3-16.

Keth, A. C. 2002. Taxonomy of the genus Neotrichia
and related taxa (Trichoptera: Hydroptilidae:
Neotrichiini). Unpublished Ph.D. thesis, Pennsylvania
State University, State College, PA. 327 pp.

Myers, L. W., B. C. Kondratieff, T. B. Mihuc, & D. E.
Ruiter. 2011. The mayflies (Ephemeroptera), stoneflies
(Plecoptera), and caddisflies (Trichoptera) of the
Adirondack Park (New York State). Transactions of the
American Entomological Society 137: 63-140.

Ross, H. H. 1944. The caddis flies, or Trichoptera, of
Illinois. Bulletin of the Illinois Natural History Survey
23: 1-326.

SHORTER CONTRIBUTIONS 93

Shorter Contributions

Banisteria, Number 43, pages 93-94
© 2014 Virginia Natural History Society

THE OPUNTIA CACTUS BUG _ CHELINIDEA
VITTIGER REDISCOVERED IN _ VIRGINIA
(HETEROPTERA: COREIDAE). — The Opuntia
Cactus Bug (Chelinidea vittiger Uhler) feeds on the
Eastern Prickly-pear Cactus (Opuntia humifusa (Raf.)
Raf.), and ranges from Virginia to Florida, west to
Nebraska and the Southwest, and north to southwestern
Canada (Herring, 1980). The species is_ easily
recognized by the yellow stripes on the head, the three-
sided antennal articles, and its occurrence on prickly
pear cacti (Hoffman, 1991). Eastern Prickly-pear
Cactus occurs sporadically throughout the
Commonwealth of Virginia, mostly in dry sandy or
rocky, open habitats from coastal dunes to the
Appalachian Mountains. Only one species of Opuntia is
thought to occur in Virginia (Weakley et al., 2012).

Hoffman (1975) stated that “the occurrence of C.
vittiger in Virginia stands upon very inadequate
documentation,” presumably based on two factors.
First, is the potential for one of the two Virginia records
(specimen cited by Uhler, 1863) to have been taken
from the Kanawha River valley in what is now West
Virginia, prior to its political separation from Virginia.
Second, a nymph taken from Herndon, Virginia in
1911, has never been substantiated via surveys in that
area, and may have been mislabeled or misidentified
(Hoffman, 1994). Due to the rapid development of
suburban areas around Washington, DC (including
Herndon) during the last 50 years, the coreid seems less
likely to occur there. These factors, and a host of
negative surveys by himself and others, led Hoffman
(1994) to propose that the species “be removed from
the list of Virginia coreids.”

Over the last 15 years, I have searched
unsuccessfully at numerous sites containing Opuntia
cacti in hopes of finding C. vittiger. However, my first
nocturnal foray for this species (albeit unintentional)
yielded a positive result. On 24 August 2010 while
trapping bats at a Scott County cave, a lull in the bat
trapping led me to make a brief search of the abundant
prickly pear cacti in the surrounding pasture.
Eventually, I noticed a slight movement on one of the
cactus pads, and then another. With the aid of my head
lamp, I collected five adults of a dull yellow and black
hemipteran (Fig. 1) from a single cluster of Opuntia. I
never saw them elsewhere in the pasture despite
looking at hundreds of cacti. These specimens were
examined further, checked against online resources and

Fig. 1. Two adults of the Opuntia Cactus Bug (Chelinidea
vittiger) collected on 24 August 2010 from a site in Scott
County, Virginia (photo by C. S. Hobson).

field guides, and were later confirmed by Dr. Hoffman
to be C. vittiger. Finally, this true bug had been restored
to the fauna of the Commonwealth!

It remains to be determined if this species is more
nocturnal than diurnal. It might be worthwhile to revisit
other sites with Opuntia at night to determine if
C. vittiger can be found more easily with flashlight in
hand. Additional surveys are needed to determine the
extent and condition of the Scott County population.

The collection site is approximately 2 km (1.2
miles) east of Nickelsville, Scott County, Virginia, and
consists of a dry rocky pasture with abundant fescue,
thistle, and Opuntia. The site has several cave openings
and numerous sinkholes. Copper Creek flows along the
northern boundary of the site. Voucher specimens are
deposited in the Virginia Museum of Natural History,
Martinsville, Virginia.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I am particularly grateful to the late Dr. Richard
L. Hoffman (Virginia Museum of Natural History,
Martinsville) for his comments on this manuscript, and
his examination of the specimens. Richard encouraged
me (and others) over the years to search for this species,
and his advice and enthusiasm in the pursuit of this bug
were crucial to its discovery. He will be greatly missed.
Special thanks to Thomas J. Henry with the USDA
ARS _— Systematic Entomology Laboratory at
the Smithsonian Institution for his suggestions and
comments on the manuscript.

94 BANISTERIA

LITERATURE CITED

Herring, J. L. 1980. A review of the cactus bugs of the
genus Chelinidea with the description of a new species
(Hemiptera: Coreidae). Proceedings of the Entomo-
logical Society of Washington 82: 237-250.

Hoffman, R. L. 1975. The Insects of Virginia: No. 9.
Squash, broad-headed, and scentless plant bugs of
Virginia. (Hemiptera: Coreoidea: Coreidae, Alydidae,
Rhopalidae). Bulletin of the Research Division,
Virginia Polytechinc Institute and State University 105:
1-52.

Hoffman, R. L. 1991. Opuntia squash bug. Pp. 226-228
In K. Terwilliger (coord.), Virginia’s Endangered
Species. McDonald and Woodward Publishing
Company, Blacksburg, VA. 672 pp.

Hoffman, R. L. 1994. Additions and emendations to the
Virginia fauna of “true bugs” (Heteroptera: Cydnidae,
Scutelleridae, Pentatomidae, Alydidae). Banisteria 3:
15-19.

Uhler, P. R. 1863. Hemipterological Contributions, No.
2. Proceedings of the Entomological Society of
Philadelphia 2: 361-366.

Weakley, A. S., J. C. Ludwig, & J. F. Townsend. 2012.
Flora of Virginia. B. Crowder (ed.). Foundation of the
Flora of Virginia Project Inc., Richmond. Botanical
Research Institute of Texas Press, Fort Worth, TX.
1,554 pp.

Christopher S. Hobson

Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation
Division of Natural Heritage

600 East Main Street, 24" floor

Richmond, Virginia 23219

Banisteria, Number 43, pages 94-96
© 2014 Virginia Natural History Society

TWO ROBBER FLIES (DIPTERA: ASILIDAE) NEW
TO THE VIRGINIA FAUNA, PLUS NOTES ON
ADDITIONAL POORLY KNOWN SPECIES.—In
2010, I published a list of the robber flies of Virginia
that included 115 confirmed species plus an additional
eleven considered possible for a total of 126 (Bedell,
2010). Since that time, two species, Orthogonis stygia
and Leptogaster murina, have been recorded in Virginia

NO. 43, 2014

raising the confirmed species to 117 for a total of 128
(neither was on my hypothetical species list). This note
also updates data on six additional species that were
previously documented by few records, and presents
occurrence evidence that Nicocles pictus overwinters in
the adult stage. I have maintained the same format as
the 2010 paper, with species presented in alphabetical
order according to subfamily, and with counties
italicized.

Asilinae
Neomochtherus auricomus (Hine)

On 5 September 2013, I observed this species to be
fairly common (about 20 adults observed in a 2-hour
period) in the understory of second growth deciduous
woods at Pocahontas State Park, Chesterfield Co.
Perch sites included leaves of American Holly (Ilex
opaca). Specimens and photographs (BugGuide photos
#837779-80) were obtained. This species may be
underreported due to its appearance late in the season.

Proctacanthus heros (Wiedemann)

This impressive species, the largest of our asilids,
was included on the Virginia list based on a specimen
taken in 1938. I collected a male on 18 August 2011
and observed several more at Cherry Orchard Bog
Natural Area Preserve (NAP) in Sussex Co. Later that
same day I photographed one at Chub Sandhill NAP
(BugGuide photo #593537), also in Sussex Co. A. V.
Evans collected a female at Blackwater Ecological
Preserve in Isle of Wight Co. in a Malaise trap run from
23 September to 5 October 2010. This specimen is in
my collection.

Brachyrhopalinae
Ceraturgus aurulentus (Fabricius)

I took a female specimen of this apparently very
rare species in Pocahontas State Park (Chesterfield Co.)
on 5 September 2013. Habitat was second growth dry
deciduous woods with low understory. In appearance
and behavior, it was a very convincing mimic of a
yellow jacket wasp (Vespula sp.). Even its flight was
very unlike any asilid I know, being low to the ground
and in curved patterns.

After capturing the initial specimen, I returned to
the site three times before observing another and taking
photographs of an ovipositing female and habitat on 11
September (BugGuide # 840074-76, 840080). My last
observation (one adult) was on 2 October.

SHORTER CONTRIBUTIONS 95

Ceraturgus aurulentus is apparently very rare, as
“Fewer than two dozen specimens have been collected
in the past 200 years” (Barnes, 2008). However, this
species was recently also photographed in North
Carolina and Wisconsin in late August and September
(BugGuide.net, 2013). Perhaps its apparent rarity is at
least partially a result of its remarkable mimicry and
late season phenology.

Cyrtopogon lutatius (Walker)

I found this small robber fly to be localized on piles
of downed deciduous logs at Pocahontas State Park,
Chesterfield Co. I recorded as many as 20 adults at one
site, with my earliest date being 2 May. All of my
observations have been in May. Several June visits to
piles of logs where they occurred earlier resulted in no
sightings. I obtained two specimens, and photographed
a male (BugGuide #511537).

Nicocles pictus (Loew)

The phenology of this asilid is unlike any other in
Virginia. It is present throughout very early spring into
May, disappearing in the summer, then reappearing in
late fall. Since my 2010 paper, I have observed this
species on warm days throughout the winter months,
but I lack records for December. I have observed adults
at Pocahontas State Park on 17 February 2011; 7
January (see photo and discussion at BugGuide
#605947), 1 February, and 1 March 2012; and 9
January, 16 February, and 21 November 2013.
Especially the January dates indicate that N. pictus
overwinters in the adult stage.

Dasypogoninae
Diogmites salutans Bromley

I had included this southeastern species based on
a female record from Smithfield cited by S. Bromley in
his original description (Bromley, 1936). I have since
found D. salutans to be numerous in the power line
cut at Cherry Orchard Bog NAP in Sussex Co.
My observation dates range from 22 July to 21 August.
I have ten specimens in my collection.

Laphriinae
Laphria sacrator Walker
This northern species was previously documented

in Virginia by one record from Rockingham Co.
I collected two specimens in Highland Co. from the

Bearcamp Knob area at an elevation of about 3500 feet
(1067 m) on 29 June 2011.

Orthogonis stygia (Bromley) New state record!

On 18 August 2011, I accompanied Arthur Evans
and Anne Wright on a field trip to Sussex County,
including Cherry Orchard Bog NAP. The following day
Dr. Evans sent me photographs of an unknown asilid he
had observed at this site, which I suspected might be
the very rare O. stygia. I forwarded the photographs
(Figs. 1-2) to Dr. Eric Fisher, who immediately
confirmed the identification based on the unique
features of this robber fly, including shape of the
proboscis, antennae, and wing venation, all visible in
the photographs (E. Fisher, pers. comm.).

Numerous subsequent trips to this location to
relocate O. stygia have been unsuccessful. I returned
twice during the week following the initial discovery in
2011, then four times in 2012 (31 May, 8 and 27 June,
and 22 July).

This species has been regarded as very rare since its
original description from a lone female specimen from

r

Figs. 1-2. Orthogonis stygia with ichneumonid wasp prey at
Cherry Orchard Bog Natural Area Preserve, Sussex Co.,
Virginia. Photos by Arthur V. Evans.

96 BANISTERIA

North Carolina (Bromley, 1931), where it has not been
recorded since. However, it has been observed recently
in Texas (Taber & Fleenor, 2003) and Arkansas
(Barnes, 2007). All other sightings have been in June
and July, so the Virginia record represents a late date.
The prey item in the photographs can be identified as an
ichneumonid wasp (R. Kula, pers. comm.). The habitat
where Orthogonis was observed at Cherry Orchard Bog
NAP can be generally described as a closed-canopy
mesic woods, somewhat similar to the habitat described
in Arkansas (Barnes et al., 2007), but the topography
here is essentially flat.

Leptogastrinae
Leptogaster murina Loew New state record!

This is considered a Midwestern species, but there is
one other record for the eastern United States from
Maryland (Scarbrough, 1974). I have collected L.
murina at three sites in Virginia, including native
grasslands at the Radford Army Ammunition Plant in
Montgomery Co. (3 June 2010), an old field in
Alleghany Co. (31 May 2010), and a site in Goochland
Co. (16 May 2013). Three specimens from the latter
site were donated to the NMNH.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I thank Arthur V. Evans both for his companionship
in the field, and for his generous donation of specimens
and photographs for my ongoing study of Asilidae.

LITERATURE CITED

Barnes, J. K. 2008. Review of the genus Ceraturgus
Wiedemann (Diptera: Asilidae) in North America north
of Mexico. Zootaxa 1766: 1-45.

Barnes, J. K., N. Lavers, & H. Raney. 2007. Robber
flies (Diptera: Asilidae) of Arkansas, U.S.A.: Notes and
a checklist. Entomological News 118: 241-258.

Bedell, P. 2010. A preliminary list of the robber flies
(Diptera: Asilidae) of Virginia. Banisteria 36: 3-19.

Bromley, S. W. 1931. New Asilidae, with a revised key
to the genus Stenopogon Loew: (Diptera). Annals of the
Entomological Society of America 24: 427-435.

Bromley, S. W. 1936. The genus Diogmites in the
United States with descriptions of new species (Diptera:
Asilidae). Journal of the New York Entomological
Society 44: 225-237.

NO. 43, 2014

BugGuide.net. http://bugguide.net/node/view/15740
Accessed 1 November 2013.

Scarbrough, A. G. 1974. A faunistic study of Asilidae
(Diptera) at three locations in northern Baltimore
County, Maryland: incidence, relative abundance and
seasonal distribution. Proceedings of the Entomological
Society of Washington 76: 385-396.

Taber, S. W., & S. B. Fleenor. 2003. Range extension,
habitat, and review of the rare robber fly Orthogonis
stygia (Bromley). Southwestern Entomologist 29: 85-
87.

Paul Bedell
10120 Silverleaf Terrace
Richmond, Virginia 23236

Banisteria, Number 43, pages 96-98
© 2014 Virginia Natural History Society

HARRIS’ CHECKERSPOT (CHLOSYNE HARRISID,
A NORTHERN BUTTERFLY NEW TO THE FAUNA
OF VIRGINIA (LEPIDOPTERA: NYMPHALIDAE).
— Harris’ Checkerspot (Chlosyne harrisii) is a
distinctively patterned black and orange butterfly that
ranges across Canada from Nova Scotia and Prince
Edward Island west to Manitoba and south in the
United States to Ohio and northern Pennsylvania, with
disjunct populations in northeastern West Virginia
(Opler, 1992; Allen, 1997; Cech & Tudor, 2005). The
species has one adult generation per year in early
summer and the communal larvae build silken nests on
the sole known hostplant, flat-topped white aster
(Doellingeria umbellata, formerly Aster umbellatus).
Reported habitats of C. harrisii include wet pastures,
marshes, bogs, and damp meadows (Opler, 1992; Allen,
1997; Cech & Tudor, 2005). Allen (1997) noted that
adults can be found nectaring in open or brushy upland
areas and are often found along road banks.

Although the closely related and similar Silvery
Checkerspot (Chlosyne nycteis) is rather common and
widespread in Virginia (Clark & Clark, 1951; Pavulaan,
1997; personal observations of authors), especially in
the mountains and portions of the Piedmont, Harris’
Checkerspot has not been reported previously from
Virginia. Allen (1997) recorded C. harrisii from four
montane counties in northeastern West Virginia, two of
which (Pendleton and Pocahontas) border on Virginia.
Thus, despite the lack of documented records, it seemed
possible that this species might occur in the mountains

SHORTER CONTRIBUTIONS 97

2 ae

be ‘ i” :
— -@Allen Br¥an 2008

Fig. 1. Dorsal view of adult Chlosyne harrisii from SaaS
County, Virginia (photo by Allen Bryan).

of western Virginia in areas where the hostplant is
present. Allen (1997) noted that C. harrisii is common
near Spruce Knob Lake in Randolph Co., West
Virginia, but it has not been found by SMR about 15-20
km (9-12 mi) farther south in the Laurel Fork
Recreation Area of the George Washington National
Forest in extreme northwestern Highland Co., Virginia
despite numerous visits spanning the past two decades.

On 10 June 2007, one of us (AB) observed and
photographed (Fig. 1) several adult Harris’
Checkerspots in a beaver meadow along Straight Fork
in northwestern Highland County, apparently the first
documented record of this species in Virginia. We
visited the site together two weeks later (23 June 2007),
but did not find C. harrisii on that date, perhaps
indicating that the flight season was over or nearly so.
A few adults of C. harrisii have been found in this same
area in subsequent years by us (mostly AB) and several
other observers on the following dates: 6 June 2008, 11,
13, and 27 June 2009, 2 and 5 June 2010, 17 and 23
June 2011, and 15 June 2013. Unpublished reports of
butterflies observed or collected in this same wetland
between the mid-1970s and late 1990s, including visits
on 12 and 22 June 1974, 17 July 1982, 22 June 1989,
21 June 1995, and 23 June 1998, do not include C.
harrisii. Perhaps most of these surveys occurred near
the end or after the relatively short flight season of this
species.

On 7 June 2010, SMR and Irvine Wilson discovered
a second Virginia population of C. harrisii in wet
meadows along Back Creek west of Hightown, also in
northwestern Highland County. A total of 10 adults was
observed on that date. A return visit to this site by SMR
three weeks later (29 June 2010) did not yield any
observations of C. harrisii, but several adults were
found during the period of 6-10 June 2011. One adult

was observed nectaring on Pennsylvania Blackberry
(Rubus pensilvanicus) (Fig. 2). This is the southernmost
known site for C. harrisii in Virginia and perhaps its
entire range.

On 15 June 2011, SMR discovered a third Virginia
population of C. harrisii along an unnamed headwater
tributary of Laurel Fork within several hundred meters
of the West Virginia state line. This is apparently the
largest of the three known Virginia populations of C.
harrisii; more than 20 adults were seen on this date and
at least 25 were observed the following day. Adults
were nectaring on white clover (Trifolium repens)
flowers in the lawn of a pond-side cabin, occasionally
chasing off conspecifics to gain access to flowers.

Harris’ Checkerspot is a peripheral species in
Virginia, barely occurring within the state’s borders and
occupying a very limited portion of northwestern
Highland County. All three known locations are within
5 km (3 mi) of the West Virginia state line, and within
10 km (6 mi) of one another. Elevations of these sites
range from approximately 884 to 1128 meters (2900-
3700 feet) above sea level. Other northern, state-rare
butterflies that occur syntopically with C. harrisii at
one or more sites in Virginia include Pink-edged
Sulphur (Colias interior), Atlantis Fritillary (Speyeria

Fig. 2. Ventral view of adult Chlosyne harrisii nectaring on
Pennsylvania Blackberry (Rubus pensilvanicus) in Highland
County, Virginia (photo by Steven Roble).

98 BANISTERIA

atlantis), Silver-bordered Fritillary (Boloria selene),
Two-spotted Skipper (Euphyes bimacula), and Long
Dash (Polites mystic). The diurnal arctiid moth
Ctenucha virginica, another northern species, was
collected at one site and Baltimore Checkerspot
(Euphydryas phaeton), a declining butterfly in the
region, was recorded at two of the C. harrisii sites.

The Virginia population is assignable to the
subspecies Chlosyne harrisii liggetti (Avinoff), which
is known to inhabit the northeastern United States. It is
larger and dorsally darker than the more northerly
distributed nominate subspecies. A voucher specimen
from the Back Creek site will be deposited in
the Virginia Museum of Natural History, Martinsville,
VA.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We thank several private landowners for granting
access to their properties, and Allen Belden, Bruce
Grimes, Barry Kinzie, Amos Showalter, and David
Young for sharing their observations.

LITERATURE CITED

Allen, T. J. 1997. The Butterflies of West Virginia and
Their Caterpillars. University of Pittsburgh Press,
Pittsburgh, PA. 388 pp.

Cech, R., & G. Tudor. 2005. Butterflies of the East
Coast: An Observer’s Guide. Princeton University
Press, Princeton, NJ. 345 pp.

Clark, A. H., & L. F. Clark. 1951. The butterflies of
Virginia. Smithsonian Miscellaneous Collections 116:
1-239.

Opler, P. A. 1992. A Field Guide to Eastern Butterflies.
Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, MA. 396 pp.

Pavulaan, H. 1997. Checklist of Virginia butterflies
(1996 revised draft edition). Privately printed, Herndon,
VA. 39 pp.

Steven M. Roble

Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation
Division of Natural Heritage

600 E. Main Street, 24 Floor

Richmond, Virginia 23219

Allen Bryan
1500 Old Compton Road
Richmond, Virginia 23238

NO. 43, 2014

Banisteria, Number 43, pages 98-99
© 2014 Virginia Natural History Society

SOME RECORDS OF CHEWING LICE FROM
CARNIVORES IN VIRGINIA. — Chewing lice are
insects placed in three suborders of the Order
Phthiraptera. Most species parasitize birds and thus,
some refer to those as the “bird lice”. However, in
North America a few species are ectoparasites of
rodents, ungulates, and carnivores. While surveying
mammals in Virginia for fleas I also encountered a few
chewing lice. Three species of trichodectid chewing lice
belonging to the suborder Ischnocera from carnivores
are here reported, all of which are new state records.

All of the host mammals were road kills and were
brushed or combed for ectoparasites. Lice were
preserved in 70% ethanol and then processed by
decolorization in 5% KOH overnight, dehydrated in an
ethanol series, cleared in xylene, and mounted on slides
in Canada balsam. Identifications were made using the
key and illustrations in Whitaker (1982). All specimens
have been deposited in the collections at the Virginia
Museum of Natural History, Martinsville, VA.

Stachiella octomaculatus (Paine, 1912) is a parasite
of Raccoons, Procyon lotor as documented by Emerson
(1972) and Price et al. (2003). Three of 31 (10%)
Raccoons were infested from these localities: 14' 42 ex
P. lotor, 23 September 1982, New Kent, New Kent Co.,
VA; 13 22 ex P. lotor, 15 October 1987, Annandale,
Fairfax Co., VA; 83 992 ex P. lotor, 1 March 1992,
Troutdale, Smyth Co., VA. Raccoons from Fairfax Co.
(n=26), and one each from Arlington, Fauquier, and
Prince William counties were not infested.

Stachiella larseni Emerson, 1962 is a host-specific
parasite of American Mink, Neovison vison according
to Emerson (1972) and Price et al. (2003). Only 2
American Minks were examined, one of which (50%)
was infested; 1¢ 49 and 1 nymph ex N. vison, 22
February 1997, Cross Junction, Frederick Co., VA.
Another mink from Dinwiddie Co. was not infested.

Neotrichodectes mephitidis (Packard, 1873) is a
parasite of skunks and has been taken from the Striped
Skunk, Mephitis mephitis and the Hooded Skunk,
Mephitis macroura as documented by Emerson (1972)
and Price et al. (2003). In this study 2 of 7 (29%)
Striped Skunks were infested from these localities: 4¢
212 ex M. mephitis, 10 November 1982, Bull Run,
Prince William Co., VA; 22 ex M. mephitis, 19
September 1983, Seven Fountains, Shenandoah Co.,
VA. Three Striped Skunks from Fairfax Co. and one
each from Fauquier and Highland counties were not
infested.

Other species of chewing lice are known to
parasitize other carnivore species in North America but

SHORTER CONTRIBUTIONS 99

none were taken in this study from Gray Fox (n=8),
Red Fox (n=8), Bobcat (n=2), and Coyote (n=2) in
Virginia. Most species of chewing lice are very host-
specific and all specimens reported here were taken
from the type host species. Prevalence of infestation
and parasite loads were lower than those reported by
Whitaker (1982). Some of the road-kill animals were
not very fresh and no detergent washing technique was
used to recover lice. These differences in technique
may account for the low numbers.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Lance Durden, John Whitaker, Jr., and editor Steve
Roble all made valuable suggestions that improved the
manuscript.

LITERATURE CITED

Emerson, K. C. 1972. Checklist of the Mallophaga of
North America (north of Mexico). Part HI. Mammal
host list. Desert Test Center, Dugway, UT. 28 pp.

Price, R. D., R. A. Hellenthal, R. L. Palma, K. P.
Johnson, & D. H. Clayton. 2003. The Chewing Lice:
World Checklist and Biological Overview. Illinois
Natural History Survey Special Publication 24. 501 pp.

Whitaker, J. O., Jr. 1982. Ectoparasites of Mammals of
Indiana. Indiana Academy of Science Monograph No.
4. Indianapolis, IN. 240pp.

Ralph P. Eckerlin

Natural Sciences Division

Northern Virginia Community College
Annandale, Virginia 22003
reckerlin@nvcc.edu

Banisteria, Number 43, pages 99-101
© 2014 Virginia Natural History Society

CHIRONOMID MIDGE HATCH LEADS TO MASS
MORTALITY EVENT FOR CHIMNEY SWIFTS
(CHAETURA PELAGICA). — Breeding populations of
the Chimney Swift (Chaetura pelagica) have declined
in most sectors of its breeding range in eastern North
America since the initiation of standardized breeding
bird surveys in 1966 (Sauer et al., 2012). Most of the
decline has been attributed to range-wide reduction in
the number of suitable nesting sites in chimneys and
other manmade structures (Cink & Collins, 2002).
However, a recent study suggested that populations at

the northern periphery of its breeding range were
limited by factors other than the scarcity of nesting sites
(Fitzgerald et al., 2014). A third study proposed that
changes in the insect prey base after the broad-scale
introduction of pesticides has adversely affected swift
populations (Nocera et al., 2012). Finally, mass
mortality events associated with strong storms have
been implicated in the recent population decline
(Dionne et al., 2008). Here we report a notable
mortality event caused by vehicular traffic adjacent to a
midge (Chironomidae) hatch.

On 6 October 2010, at 1715 h, CJA observed
several hundred swifts foraging over Interstate 295 (38°
48.77' N, 77° 1.27' W) and the adjacent Blue Plains
Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant in Washington,
District of Columbia. An estimated 300 swifts were
dead on the north- and southbound lanes of the highway
and mowed right-of-way (Fig. 1). CJA salvaged sixty of
the more intact carcasses for preservation as museum
specimens. On the morning of 7 October, we revisited
the site and observed several hundred swifts foraging
low over the wastewater treatment plant and highway.
We salvaged an additional 30 carcasses from the
highway right-of-way. A return trip on 8 October
revealed only a few swifts foraging over the wastewater
treatment plant. The closest treatment ponds were only
30 m from the mowed highway right of way. The
District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority
(DCWSA) was contacted to determine if there was a
direct connection between the swift mortality event and
the sewage treatment plant. Representatives from the
DCWSA, the District of Columbia Department of
Health, Fire and Emergency Medical Services, and the
National Guard Civil Support Team determined that
there were no chemicals or hazardous materials at the
wastewater treatment plant that could have caused the

Fig. 1. Chimney Swifts (Chaetura pelagica) killed by
automotive traffic adjacent to the Blue Plains Advanced
Wastewater Treatment Plant in the District of Columbia on 6
October 2010.

100 BANISTERIA

deaths and that the birds had most likely been struck by
cars. During specimen preparation, we confirmed signs
of blunt-force trauma, including broken sterna and
pneumatized skulls filled with blood, further
confirming the collision hypothesis.

Smithsonian and US Geological Survey staff
prepared 79 individuals as museum skins and partial
skeletal specimens. The stomachs, all packed with
insects, were preserved in ethanol. Specimens consisted
of 45 males, 24 females, and 10 that could not be sexed.
The majority were hatch year individuals (n = 43).
Twenty-three were adults (after hatching year) and the
age of the remaining individuals (n = 13) could not
be determined. JHE identified the stomach contents of
two individuals (USNM 644439 and USNM 644447).
One species of chironomid midge (Chironomus
calligraphus) constituted 99.5% of the 1365 insects in
the two stomachs. Bulk samples of stomach contents
and swift specimens were deposited in the Division
of Birds, National Museum of Natural History,
Smithsonian Institution.

Chironomidae (non-biting midges), especially
members of the genus Chironomus, are often dominant
members of insect faunas of sewage treatment plants.
Eutrophic conditions prevalent at these facilities can
promote the growth of huge populations of emerging
midges that may create severe nuisance situations for
animals and humans. Chironomus calligraphus, a
Neotropical species, was first reported in the United
States from California (Spies, 2000). It was present in
Florida at least as early as 1965 (Spies et al., 2002) but
because of difficulties associated with species level
identification of Chironomus, it remained essentially
unnoticed. The northernmost record in the eastern
United States was recently reported from southern
Georgia (Gray et al., 2012). The collection of this
species from the District of Columbia represents a
significant northward range extension. The species may
have been present for years, but, as noted above,
difficulties associated with species level identification
of many Chironomus species (see Spies et al., 2002)
have allowed this species to remain taxonomically
undetected. Laboratory and field investigations in
Argentina have shown that C. calligraphus has a
temperature-dependent life cycle with a minimum
generation time of 18 days, with several overlapping
cohorts in spring through summer and one to two
generations in winter (Zilli et al., 2008).

The Blue Plains mortality event was one of the
largest on record for swifts (Cink & Collins, 2002;
Dionne, et al., 2008) and certainly the largest caused by
automobile collision at a single site (Glista et al., 2008).
The frequency of such events is unknown but if large
chironomid midge hatches occur annually at the Blue

NO. 43, 2014

Plains site during the first two weeks of October, then
significant swift mortality may be a regular occurrence.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Graves thanks the Alexander Wetmore Fund of the
Smithsonian Institution and the Smoketree Trust for
support.

LITERATURE CITED

Cink, C. L., & C. T. Collins. 2002. Chimney Swift
(Chaetura pelagica). The Birds of North America
Online (A. Poole, ed.). Cornell Lab of Ornithology,
Ithaca, NY. http://bna.birds.cornell.edu/bna/species/646

Dionne, M., C. Maurice, J. Gauthier, & F. Shaffer.
2008. Impact of Hurricane Wilma on migrating birds:
the case of the Chimney Swift. Wilson Journal of
Ornithology 120: 784-792.

Fitzgerald, T. M., E. van Stam, J. J. Nocera, & D. S.
Badzinski. 2014. Loss of nesting sites is not a primary
factor limiting northern Chimney Swift populations.
Population Ecology 56: in press DOI: 10.1007/s10144-
014-0433-6

Glista, D. J., T. L. DeVault, & J. A. DeWoody. 2008.
Vertebrate road mortality predominately impacts
amphibians. Herpetological Conservation and Biology
3: 77-87.

Gray, E. W., C. Royals, J. H. Epler, R. D. Wyatt, B.
Brewer, & R. Noblet. 2012. Chironomus calligraphus
(Diptera: Chironomidae), a new pest species in
Georgia. Journal of the American Mosquito Control
Association 28: 258-259.

Nocera, J. J., J. M. Blais, D. V. Beresford, L. K. Finity,
C. Grooms, L. E. Kimpe, K. Kyser, N. Michelutti,
M. W. Reudink, & J. P. Smol. 2012. Historical
pesticide applications coincided with an _ altered
diet of aerially foraging insectivorous chimney
swifts. Proceedings of the Royal Society B 279: 3114-
3120.

Sauer, J. R., J. E. Hines, J. E. Fallon, K. L. Pardieck,
D. J. Ziolkowski, & W. A. Link. 2012. The North
American Breeding Bird Survey, Results and Analysis
1966 - 2011. Version 07.03.2013 USGS Patuxent
Wildlife Research Center, Laurel, MD.

Spies, M. 2000. Non-biting "nuisance" midges (Diptera,
Chironomidae) in urban southern California, with notes

SHORTER CONTRIBUTIONS 101

on taxonomy, ecology and zoogeography. Pp. 621-628
In O. Hoffrichter (ed.), Late 20th Century Research
on Chironomidae: An Anthology from the 13th
International Symposium on Chironomidae. Shaker
Verlag, Aachen.

Spies, M., J. E. Sublette, M. F. Sublette, W. F. Wiilker,
J. Martin, A. Hille, M. A. Miller, & K. Witt. 2002. Pan-
American Chironomus calligraphus Goeldi, 1905
(Diptera: Chironomidae): species or complex?
Evidence from external morphology, karyology and
DNA sequencing. Aquatic Insects 24: 91-113.

Zilli, F. L., L. Montalto, A. C. Paggi, & M. R.
Marchese. 2008. Biometry and life cycle of
Chironomus calligraphus Goeldi 1905 (Diptera,
Chironomidae) in laboratory conditions. Interciencia
33: 767-770.

Christopher M. Milensky

Department of Vertebrate Zoology, MRC 116
National Museum of Natural History
Smithsonian Institution

P.O. Box 37012

Washington, DC 20013-7012

Claudia J. Austin
2602 Horseshoe Road
Creedmoor, North Carolina 27522

John H. Epler
461 Tiger Hammock Road
Crawfordville, Florida 32327

Christina A. Gebhard

Department of Vertebrate Zoology, MRC 116
National Museum of Natural History
Smithsonian Institution

P.O. Box 37012

Washington, DC 20013-7012

Gary R. Graves

Department of Vertebrate Zoology, MRC 116
National Museum of Natural History
Smithsonian Institution

P.O. Box 37012

Washington, DC 20013-7012

Center for Macroecology, Evolution and Climate
University of Copenhagen

2100 Copenhagen @, Denmark

email: gravesg @si.edu

Banisteria, Number 43, pages 101-103
© 2014 Virginia Natural History Society

SNAKE PREDATION ON AMERICAN
OYSTERCATCHER EGGS ON FISHERMAN
ISLAND, VIRGINIA. — Fisherman Island National
Wildlife Refuge is located at the tip of the Delmarva
Peninsula in the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay. The
island is an important breeding area for several
species of beach-nesting birds, including American
Oystercatchers (Haematopus palliatus), Least Terns
(Sternula antillarum), and Piping Plovers (Charadrius
melodus) (Wilke et al., 2007; Denmon et al., 2013). A
bridge connecting the mainland to the island, as well as
their close proximity (ca. 600 m), has facilitated the
presence of mammalian and avian predators, including
Raccoons (Procyon lotor), American Crows (Corvus
brachyrhynchos), Fish Crows (Corvus ossifragus),
Herring Gulls (Larus argentatus), and Laughing Gulls
(Leucophaeus atricilla), all of which prey on birds,
eggs, and nestlings (Nol, 1989; Sabine et al., 2006).
Here we summarize observations of a large snake that
consumed eggs from an American Oystercatcher nest.
Two species of snakes known to eat bird eggs, Eastern
Ratsnake (Pantherophis alleghaniensis) and North
American Racer (Coluber constrictor), have been
documented for Fisherman Island (Mitchell & Reay,
1999; Mitchell, 2012) and both are potential predators
of birds that nest on this barrier island (Fitch, 1963;
Mitchell, 1994).

During the 2006 American Oystercatcher breeding
season, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service staff deployed
several wildlife cameras on Fisherman Island to
monitor nest success using the techniques described in
Denmon et al. (2013). Each camera was mounted to a
post that was buried with about 0.5 m visible above
ground. Posts were camouflaged using wrack from the
beach and all wires were spray-painted light tan and
covered with sand. The cameras took pictures every
five seconds; because the data consisted of a series of
digital pictures rather than video footage, images were
often grainy and only of fair quality.

The nest identified as 6F51 was located on the
northwest side of Fisherman Island. The habitat
consisted of low sand dunes with piles of wrack and
some beach grasses. Directly behind the nest
(shoreward) was a sheer sand cliff topped with grasses
that resulted from erosion. Thick grassland and shrubs
constitute the upland habitat in the area. The
oystercatcher pair at this site laid their first egg on 18
May 2006; a second egg was laid by 20 May. Camera
deployment was delayed until 25 May to reduce the
chance of the birds abandoning the nest.

Analysis of the digital images taken at nest 6F51 on

102 BANISTERIA

the night of 9 June 2006 revealed that at 1846 h EDT
the incubating oystercatcher left the nest and began
looking to the north. It then proceeded to pace up and
down a dune south of the nest. A snake first appeared
on camera at 1849 h, moving in from the northeast and
arrived at the nest at 1854 h. At this time, the
oystercatcher headed back to the nest and began
moving in a random pattern, circling the nest, then
retreating and running along the southern dune, then
returning and circling again. At 1907 h, the bird
appeared to be staying very close to the nest and had
increased its circling and pacing. The snake cannot be
seen at this point due to vegetation obstructing the
view, but it appeared that the bird was attempting to
scare the predator away. After a few minutes, the
oystercatcher ceased its circling behavior, moved to the
left of the camera, and continued pacing the dune.

The oystercatcher made a final attempt at 1914 h to
defend the nest; the snake is again visible in this frame.
The bird resumed its pacing at the southern dune and
seemed to be in a state of distress. The snake moved
away at 1934 h and is out of the camera frame a minute
later. The oystercatcher returned to the nest and then
left the area at 1944 h. The snake (presumably the same
one) returned later that evening (from the south) and
proceeded to the nest at 2124 h, where it remained until
2132 h, when it moved away to the south again. The
nest site was completely empty upon examination the
next day; there were no eggshell fragments or tracks.
We assume the snake swallowed both eggs. This
behavior is similar to that seen in an insular milksnake
(Lampropeltis triangulum) on Isla Isabel in Mexico,
where specific nests were visited by the same snake up
to three times in a single night over a two-hour period
(Rodriguez & Drummond, 2000).

Due to the poor quality of the images, we were
unable to precisely identify the snake to species.
However, based on its size, movement, and coloration,
we postulated that it was either an Eastern Ratsnake or
North American Racer. On 26 June 2006, one of us (J.
Mitchell) set 60 minnow traps in the vicinity of the nest
under vegetation and caught a large (1,370 mm total
length) female racer on 28 June. We concluded from
this information that the snake that ate the American
Oystercatcher eggs was most likely this or another large
North American Racer.

American Oystercatcher productivity on Fisherman
Island in 2006 was very poor, with 42 pairs successfully
fledging only 13 chicks (P. Denmon, unpubl. data). Egg
predators of this species known to occur on the island
include Raccoons, American Crows, and _ several
species of gulls. To this list we add the North American
Racer. This snake species is attracted to habitat edges
where American Oystercatchers often nest because they

NO. 43, 2014

are thermally optimal habitats and where greater prey
abundance often occurs (Weatherhead & Blouin-
Demers, 2004). Because they locate prey visually, these
snakes may be more attracted to nests where the parents
are active. We hypothesize that North American Racers
are attracted to potential prey (e.g., bird eggs) by
watching adult movements. Wildlife cameras coupled
with the use of radio-transmitters in the snakes might
allow such behaviors to be watched and recorded in
nature. Experimental tests with racers in outdoor
enclosures with simulated moving adults and stationary
eggs may also elucidate this form of predatory
behavior.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We thank Susan Walls and Bryan Watts for their
comments on the manuscript. The Eastern Shore of
Virginia National Wildlife Refuge provided financial
assistance.

LITERATURE CITED

Denmon, P., B. D. Watts, & F. M. Smith. 2013.
Investigating American Oystercatcher (Haematopus
palliatus) nest failure on Fisherman Island National
Wildlife Refuge, Virginia, USA. Waterbirds 36: 156-
165.

Fitch, H. S. 1963. Natural history of the racer, Coluber
constrictor. University of Kansas Publications,
Museum of Natural History 15: 351-468.

Mitchell, J. C. 1994. The Reptiles of Virginia.
Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, DC.
352 pp.

Mitchell, J. C. 2012. Amphibians and reptiles of the
Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge and
Fisherman Island National Wildlife Refuge. Banisteria
39: 21-33.

Mitchell, J. C., & K. K. Reay. 1999. Atlas of
Amphibians and Reptiles in Virginia. Special
Publication No. 1, Virginia Department of Game and
Inland Fisheries, Richmond, VA. 122 pp.

Nol, E. 1989. Food supply and reproductive perform-
ance of the American Oystercatcher in Virginia. Condor
91: 429-435.

Rodriguez, M. C., & H. Drummond. 2000. Exploitation
of avian nestlings and lizards by insular milksnakes,
Lampropeltis triangulum. Journal of Herpetology 34:

SHORTER CONTRIBUTIONS

139-142.

Sabine, J. B., S. H. Schweitzer, & J. M. Meyers. 2006.
Nest fate and productivity of American Oystercatchers,
Cumberland Island National Seashore, Georgia.
Waterbirds 29: 308-314.

Wilke, A. L., D. F. Brinker, B. D. Watts, A. H. Traut,
R. Boettcher, J. M. McCann, B. R. Truitt, & P. P.
Denmon. 2007. American Oystercatchers in Maryland
and Virginia, USA: status and distribution. Waterbirds
30(sp1): 152-162.

Amanda D. Hackney
Audubon Texas

4702 Hwy 146 N

Texas City, Texas 77590

Joseph C. Mitchell

Mitchell Ecological Research Service, LLC
P.O. Box 2520

High Springs, Florida 32655

Pamela P. Denmon

Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge
5003 Hallett Circle

Cape Charles, Virginia 23310

103

104 BANISTERIA

NO. 43, 2014

Miscellanea

Reports
1. President’s Report

We are still searching for a nominee to fill a vacant
Councilor position and this fall we will need nominees
for Vice-President and another Councilor position. If
you are interested in nominating someone or running
for one of these positions, please contact me at
tfredericksen @ferrum.edu.

The next issue of Banisteria will contain a special
section on moths in Virginia. Please consider our
journal as an outlet for research papers and field notes.
Volumes are published in the spring and fall.

Our first Virginia Natural History Society
newsletter was published in March. The newsletter will
be published biannually in the intervening quarters
between the issues of Banisteria. The newsletter will
be circulated among the VNHS membership and posted
on the Virginia Master Naturalist Program list serve.
We hope to obtain contributions from our members
as well as from Master Naturalist members. Please
submit contributions to Richard Groover at

rgroover @reynolds.edu.

Respectfully submitted
Todd Fredericksen, President
Virginia Natural History Society

2. Minutes of the Council of the Virginia Natural
History Society Meeting of December 7, 2013

The 2013 meeting of the Executive Committee of
the Virginia Natural History Society was called to order
by President Todd Fredericksen at 1:15 PM on
December 7, 2013, in Settle Hall at Hampden-Sydney
College, Hampden-Sydney, Virginia. In attendance
were Ralph Eckerlin, Bill Shear, Steve Roble, Todd
Fredericksen, Barry Knisley, Richard Groover, Michael
Lachance, and Nancy Moncrief.

The minutes of the 2012 meeting and the report of
the Secretary-Treasurer were approved unanimously. A
current report is appended to these minutes.

Steve Roble presented the Editor’s report.
Banisteria No. 40, for autumn 2012, was a memorial
issue dedicated to Richard Hoffman and contained
articles by him, some dating back to his teenage days as
a nature columnist for the Clifton Forge newspaper.
Number 41 contained seven papers derived from the
2009 History of Natural History symposium, plus

several additional papers and shorter contributions.
Number 42, now being printed, focuses on _ the
biospeleology of Virginia. Sufficient articles are lined
up for No. 43, and it is possible that No. 44 will be
a special issue on moths. Editor Roble briefly
mentioned the possibility of going entirely to electronic
publication for Banisteria, and reminded the council
that there was at present no successor in line should he
retire or otherwise be unable to continue as editor. The
scanning of past Banisteria issues for posting online
appears to be stalled, but Editor Roble will contact Tom
McAvoy to determine if this process can be revived. It
is anticipated that the biospeleology issue may generate
requests for copies from nonmembers, and the council
decided to keep the price of $20 for single issues, but if
10 or more issues were ordered, the price would be
reduced to $10 per copy, plus shipping.

It was also noted that webmaster John White has
now placed the society’s website on a private server, for
which we pay a small annual fee.

Todd Fredericksen presented the President’s report.
As at previous meetings, the report and the subsequent
discussion focused on ways to increase membership.
Bill Shear and Todd Fredericksen remarked that the
discussion had become perennial, and while many ideas
were presented, no action is ever taken. Shear urged
that an annual meeting be instituted, and Nancy
Moncrief said that the Virginia Museum of Natural
History would probably be able to host such a meeting
as they have done in the past. Tentatively, a meeting
could be planned for 2015, 2014 being regarded as “too
soon.” President Fredericksen said he would commence
outreach to the Master Naturalists of Virginia and other
groups to prepare for a projected 2015 meeting.

Ralph Eckerlin said he was continuing to work on
the revision of the bylaws and he tries to increase
membership by sending a _ personal letter and
application form to scientists from Virginia and
adjacent states who have published natural history type
research in the journals Northeastern Naturalist and
Southeastern Naturalist. The Virginia Academy of
Science (VAS) has again invited VNHS members to
present at its 2014 meeting without the need to be a
VAS member. Council members agreed this would be
good, so Eckerlin will send a call for titles to Secretary
Shear to be disseminated electronically.

The meeting adjourned at 3:16 PM.

Respectfully submitted,
William A. Shear, Secretary/Treasurer
Virginia Natural History Society

MISCELLANEA 105

Secretary-Treasurer’s Report, December 2013

As of December 12, 2013, the society has 109
members, including 17 institutions. This is the same
membership as December 2012. Our current bank
balance is $9237.71, up from $8353.00 from six months
ago.

3. Secretary-Treasurer’s Report, April 2014

As of April 24, 2014, the society has 78 members,
including 8 institutions. This represents a decrease in
membership from December 2013 (109 members, 17
institutions). In December 2012, we had the same
number of members and the same number of
institutions. Except for 2011, membership has declined
or remained the same over the past ten years from the
most recent high point in 2004, when we enrolled 165
members, including 22 institutions.

Our current bank balance is $9968.42, up from
$9237.71 from six months ago.

Up to April 24, 2014, 51 copies of Banisteria #42
(Virginia Cave Fauna) above those distributed to the
membership have been sold.

Respectfully submitted,
William A. Shear, Secretary/Treasurer
Virginia Natural History Society

4. Webmaster’s Report

VNHS website traffic from December 1, 2013 to
June 14, 2014 is summarized in the table below.
Unfortunately, web traffic data were not captured for
March and April 2014.

[December | 1552 [609 | _1is7_| 3233 | 7091
664
218 | 661

May 683
oT [849
| Total | ~~ | 2574 | 5197 | 10984 | 26538 _|

The following are the top five, most frequently
viewed pages for June 2014:

1. Banisteria No. 33 - Phyllophaga spreta (Horn), A
Rare Species of June Beetle New to the Fauna of
Virginia, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania
(Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) — Arthur V. Evans

2. Banisteria - Main Page

3. Banisteria No. 23 - Arthropod Community
Heterogeneity in a Mid-Atlantic Forest Highly Invaded
by Alien Organisms - Daniel Kjar and Edward M.
Barrows

4. Banisteria No. 2 - Moth Records from Burkes
Garden, Virginia - Kenneth J. Stein

5. Banisteria No. 24 - Status of the Appalachian
Grizzled Skipper (Pyrgus centaureae wyandot) in
Virginia - Anne C. Chazal, Steven M. Roble,
Christopher S. Hobson, and Katharine L. Derge

The VNHS website has been redesigned and is now
mobile device compliant. Additional features and
functionality will be added as time allows.

Respectfully submitted,
John White, Webmaster
Virginia Natural History Society

5. Editor’s Report

Earlier this year I prepared about 100 new or
revised pdf versions of past Banisteria articles from
numbers 14-38 for posting on the Virginia Natural
History Society’s website. When available, I replaced
black and white photographs with color images. All of
these files, plus additional articles from older issues that
were scanned by or under the supervision of past
president Tom McAvoy, are now available as free
downloads. We will continue to work toward the goal
of having all articles from issues of Banisteria more
than 2 years old available on the society’s website.
Titles and selected abstracts of recent issues will
continue to be posted on the website.

This issue of Banisteria features a wide variety of
papers on the biota of Virginia, ranging from snails,
root fungi, and dragonflies to fish, turtles, and birds. I
thank Tom Wieboldt for serving as editor of the note
concerning the discovery of Harris’ Checkerspot in
Virginia.

I plan to devote the next issue of the journal to a
series of papers on the diverse moth fauna of the state.
Manuscripts received in the latter half of 2014 will
largely comprise the first issue of 2015. Currently, there
is no backlog of manuscripts, so consider submitting
your unpublished research projects, surveys, and natural
history observations to help us maintain a biannual
publication schedule.

Respectfully submitted,
Steve Roble, Editor, Banisteria

Virginia Natural History Society

http://virginianaturalhistorysociety.com/
General Information

The Virginia Natural History Society (VNHS) was
formed in 1992 to bring together persons interested in
the natural history of the Commonwealth of Virginia.
The VNHS defines natural history in a broad sense,
from the study of plants, animals, and other organisms
to the geology and ecology of the state, to the natural
history of the native people who inhabit it. The goals of
the VNHS are to promote research on the natural
history of Virginia, educate the citizens of the
Commonwealth on natural history topics, and to
encourage the conservation of natural resources.

Dissemination of natural history information occurs
through publication of the journal Banisteria, named for
John Banister (1650-1692) who was the first university-
trained naturalist to work in Virginia. The first issue
was published in 1992, and the journal is published
twice per year in spring and fall. Articles cover a wide
array of subjects, and prospective authors are
encouraged to submit manuscripts on any aspect of
natural history in Virginia; papers may pertain to
Virginia or regional archaeology, anthropology, botany,
ecology, zoology, paleontology, geology, geography, or
climatology. Book reviews, biographies, obituaries, and
historical accounts of relevance to natural history in
Virginia also are welcomed. Manuscripts are peer-
reviewed for suitability and edited for inclusion in the
journal.

Page charges ($20/page) are waived if the sole or
first author is a VNHS member. All authors must pay
$75/page if they desire color printing of figures. The
society’s website contains detailed instructions for
authors and the titles, abstracts or full PDF versions of
articles from past Banisteria issues.

Memberships

The VNHS is open to anyone with an interest in
natural history and welcomes participation by all
members in society activities and efforts to promote
education and conservation. Membership includes a
subscription to Banisteria and invitations to periodic
symposia and field events. Annual dues for members
are $20 (per calendar year); library subscriptions are
$40 per year. Checks or money orders (credit cards are
not accepted) should be sent to the Secretary/Treasurer,
who also has back issues of Banisteria available for
sale. The VNHS is a tax-exempt, nonprofit, society
under Section 501(C)3 of the IRS. We welcome
donations to support our mission in Virginia.

Virginia Natural History Society
Application for Membership

ANNUAL DUES AND SUBSCRIPTIONS
TO BANISTERIA
(memberships and subscriptions are by calendar
year; subscribers/members outside the United
States should add $3.00 for additional postage)

L] $500.00 Life (not annual)
$300.00 Benefactor
$100.00 Patron

$50.00 Supporting
$40.00 Institutional
$25.00 Family

$20.00 Regular

$5.00 Student (see below)

L
L
L
L
L
L
L
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I have added a contribution of $___
to my membership dues.

The special student rate is applicable only when
accompanied by the following certification signed
by a faculty advisor.

Institution

Advisor

Make checks or money orders payable to:
Virginia Natural History Society

Send membership form and dues to:
Dr. William Shear, Secretary-Treasurer
Virginia Natural History Society
Box 96
Hampden-Sydney, VA 23943

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Coreopsis auriculata Linnaeus

Original drawing by John Banister. Figure 84 in folio in Hans Sloane’s MS 4002 in the
British Museum of Natural History. Photograph courtesy of Joseph and Nesta Ewan.